A theft caught on camera at a Hanuman temple in the Kashimira area of Mira Road, on the outskirts of Mumbai, has left devotees and locals stunned. Before robbing the donation box, the accused walked into the temple at Laxmibaug, bowed at the feet of the Hanuman idol, offered prayers for a few moments, and only then broke open the temple door to get to the cash.
Prayers First, Then the Break-in
The entire incident was recorded by a CCTV camera installed inside the temple. The footage shows the accused standing in front of the idol like any ordinary devotee, folding his hands and praying with apparent devotion. Moments later, the same man breaks the lock on the temple door and heads straight for the donation box. The gap between his act of worship and the act of theft was barely a few minutes, and it is precisely that contrast, caught on camera, that has made the case so unusual.
Only Rs 170 Left in the Donation Box
The accused likely expected to find a sizeable sum inside the donation box, but luck was not on his side. Hours before the theft, the temple trust had already withdrawn most of the cash collected in the box, leaving behind just Rs 170. Despite coming prepared for the burglary, the accused walked away with only that amount before fleeing the scene.
Police Collect CCTV Footage, Register a Case
As soon as the theft came to light, Kashimira police reached the spot, carried out a panchnama at the scene and registered a case. Investigators are now working to identify the accused using the CCTV footage and other technical evidence. Police have described temple theft as a serious offence and said efforts are on to arrest the accused at the earliest. The unusual nature of the crime, a man praying before robbing the same shrine, has become the talk of the locality.
Daylight Bike Theft From a Hospital in Washim
In a separate incident, a motorcycle was stolen in broad daylight from the Washim district general hospital. In a strange twist, the thief was already riding off with the bike when a policeman appeared from the opposite direction. He paused briefly, and the moment the policeman moved away, he sped off with the motorcycle. This incident, too, was captured on a CCTV camera installed on the hospital premises. The theft, carried out in a crowded area and despite the presence of a policeman nearby, has raised questions about both security arrangements and the lack of fear of the law among such offenders. Police are now working to trace the accused using the hospital's CCTV footage.
A Similar Attempt Recently in Raigad
Not long ago, in an area under the jurisdiction of the Pali police station in Raigad, Maharashtra, a thief broke into a building to carry out a robbery but ended up getting stuck on its rooftop. Police later had to rescue him from there. The latest temple theft has once again brought attention to the need for tighter security and surveillance at religious sites and public spaces such as hospitals.
