{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Peshwa-era temple in Maharashtra's Khopoli robbed of 12-kg silver crown worth ₹50 lakh",
  "summary": "A nearly 12-kilogram silver crown worth around ₹50 lakh has been stolen from the Shivling of a Peshwa-era Shiva temple in Khopoli, Maharashtra's Raigad district, even though the temple had CCTV cameras installed.",
  "content": "A theft at a Peshwa-era Shiva temple in Khopoli town of Maharashtra's Raigad district has left devotees and locals stunned. Unidentified thieves made off with a nearly 12-kilogram silver crown that was installed on the temple's Shivling. The stolen crown is estimated to be worth around ₹50 lakh, and the sheer scale and boldness of the theft has shocked people in the area.\n\nThieves struck despite CCTV cameras on the premises\nWhat has left people most surprised is that the temple complex had CCTV cameras installed for security, yet the thieves managed to reach the Shivling and walk away with the crown without being caught. News of the theft at such a historic and religiously significant temple spread quickly, triggering shock across Khopoli. Devotees who visit the temple for darshan have reacted with anger and concern, with several questioning the adequacy of the temple's security arrangements. As soon as the incident came to light, a case was registered at Khopoli police station and an investigation was launched.\n\nSpecial team formed under senior police inspector\nTo crack the case, a special investigation team has been formed under the guidance of Senior Police Inspector Sachin Hire. The team is scanning CCTV footage from the temple premises and working through technical evidence and other leads to track down the accused. Police say the investigation is being carried out on a war footing, with efforts focused on establishing the real motive behind the theft, identifying the thieves, and recovering the stolen crown. Officials have expressed confidence that the sensational case will be cracked soon and the culprits arrested.\n\nMeanwhile, more developments in the Ram Mandir donation theft case\nSeparately, a fresh development is unfolding in the case of theft from donation boxes at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The matter is due to be heard in the Supreme Court on Monday, where a three-judge bench headed by the Chief Justice of India will take up the case. Ahead of that, the Special Investigation Team set up by the Uttar Pradesh government to probe the donation theft has submitted its status report to the Supreme Court in a sealed envelope. Separately, Ayodhya police have seized the car and bike belonging to Ramshankar Yadav, also known as Tinnu Yadav, described as the mastermind of the case, after questioning him and his nephew Manish Yadav during remand. The questioning revealed that it was on Tinnu's instructions that Manish Yadav used to hide the stolen cash in a bathroom. Tinnu had got his nephew Manish Yadav hired for the job of counting temple offerings in April 2026, and within a month of getting the job, Manish carried out the first major theft along with Avinash Shukla.\n\nWhat this means for you\n• Across India: Such incidents highlight gaps in security and CCTV monitoring at historic and religious sites nationwide, which could push temple trusts to tighten security measures.\n• In Raigad/Khopoli: Local devotees and the temple administration may now need to urgently invest in extra security guards, better CCTV coverage and safer storage for valuable temple items.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. Which temple in Khopoli was robbed?\nA silver crown was stolen from the Shivling of the historic Peshwa-era Shiva temple in Khopoli town, Raigad district.\n\n2. How much did the stolen crown weigh and what was its value?\nThe crown weighed nearly 12 kilograms and is estimated to be worth around ₹50 lakh.\n\n3. Did the temple have CCTV cameras?\nYes, the thieves managed to steal the crown even though CCTV cameras were installed in the temple premises.\n\n4. Who is investigating the case?\nA special investigation team formed under Senior Police Inspector Sachin Hire is probing the case registered at Khopoli police station.\n\n5. When will the Ram Mandir donation theft case be heard in the Supreme Court?\nThe case is scheduled to be heard on Monday before a three-judge Supreme Court bench headed by the Chief Justice of India.\n\n6. Who is the alleged mastermind in the donation theft case?\nPolice say Ramshankar Yadav, alias Tinnu Yadav, is the mastermind; his car and bike were seized after remand interrogation of him and his nephew Manish Yadav.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/maharashtra/khopoli-ke-prachina-mndira-se-shivalinga-ka-12-kilo-chandi-mukuta-para-cctv-bhi-nahin-roka-paya-choron-ko-9039",
  "category": "Maharashtra",
  "publishedAt": "2026-07-20",
  "tags": [
    "Khopoli theft",
    "Shiva temple robbery",
    "silver crown stolen",
    "Raigad crime",
    "Ram Mandir donation theft",
    "Maharashtra temple security"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}