Donation box stolen from Shri Someshwar Temple at Pimpri Dumala (Shirur)

Thief caught on camera stealing, police arrive for investigation

The thief while stealing and the police who came to investigate

Shirur (Pune district) – A theft of the donation box from the ancient Shri Someshwar Temple at Pimpri Dumala (Taluka Shirur), a place of deep faith for devotees, has come to light. How much money was inside the stolen donation box could not be ascertained. The incident has triggered anger among villagers and devotees.

1. As per routine, temple priest Somnath Takte arrived at the temple at around 5.30 am to perform the morning worship. When he noticed that the donation box was missing, he inspected the temple Premises. As the donation box could not be found, he informed the villagers about the incident.

2. On checking the CCTV footage installed in the temple premises, it was seen that around 2 to 2.30 am, two thieves lifted the donation box and fled.

3. Behind the temple, on a nearby hilltop, the donation box was found vandalised and thrown away. The cash from the donation box and articles offered by devotees to the temple were stolen by the thieves.

4. A case has been registered at Ranjangaon MIDC Police Station, and further investigation is underway.

Editorial Perspectives

• In a Hindu-majority country, why are Hindu temples themselves unsafe ?

• The rising incidents of thefts in temples clearly show that thieves no longer fear the police at all.