While modern technology is increasingly designed to simplify daily life, criminals are also finding novel ways to exploit digital tools for illicit activities. Police in Sanand, Gujarat have uncovered a unique burglary operation following a heist at the Umiya Mataji Temple. Authorities arrested five individuals involved in the crime, identified as Lakshman Gurjar, Kishan Gurjar, Mukeshnath Kalbelia, Sureshnath Kalbelia, and Ajaynath Kalbelia. The revelations made during their interrogation regarding the execution of the robbery left investigating officers astonished.
Google Maps Reconnaissance and Digital Planning
According to police investigations, the mastermind behind the entire operation was 18-year-old Lakshman Gurjar. Drawing inspiration from social media content, Lakshman turned to Google Maps to plan the burglary. He searched for the Umiya Mataji Temple on the application and examined available photographs of the site. Convinced by the images that valuable items were kept inside, he decided to target the shrine. Lakshman then conducted physical reconnaissance of the temple premises to inspect entry and exit points. To ensure precise execution, he mapped out the surrounding roads where gang members would stand during the heist, recorded a video using screen recording, and shared it with his accomplices so everyone knew their designated positions.
Sourcing the Gang and Pre-Crime Logistics
Lakshman Gurjar and Kishan Gurjar are brothers hailing from Bhilwara district in Rajasthan. The duo frequently traveled from Rajasthan to the Sanand region in Gujarat to sell vegetables, which is where they established contact with Mukeshnath Kalbelia, Sureshnath Kalbelia, and Ajaynath Kalbelia to form the five-member gang. On the day of the robbery, Lakshman instructed all members to assemble near Vakil Saheb Bridge in the Bopal area. To evade digital tracking by law enforcement, Lakshman collected mobile phones from all accomplices at the meeting spot. They then drove a Bolero vehicle toward the temple, parking it 5 kilometers away before approaching the shrine on foot to commit the theft.
Evading Police Surveillance and Offloading Stolen Goods
The criminal experience of Kishan Gurjar played a strategic role in the group's attempt to evade capture. Having been arrested previously in connection with another theft, Kishan was familiar with police tracking techniques and investigative procedures. Consequently, he abstained from using a mobile phone throughout the operation to prevent location tracing. Immediately after carrying out the burglary, the two brothers fled to Rajasthan carrying the stolen silver ornaments. In Rajasthan, they melted the silver items taken from the temple and sold them for 92,000 rupees. From the proceeds, they spent 10,000 rupees on diesel for transportation.
The Ten-Day Vow to the Deity and Subsequent Arrest
Before committing the crime, Lakshman Gurjar had made an unusual religious vow to Umiya Mataji. He believed that if he managed to evade police arrest for 10 days following the heist, he would present an offering of 10,000 rupees to the deity. After selling the melted silver, he fulfilled this vow by paying 10,000 rupees as an offering. However, the gang was already preparing for their next target, planning to steal tires in the Isanpur area of Ahmedabad. Before they could execute their second robbery, Sanand police apprehended all five gang members, bringing their criminal spree to an end.
