In a remarkable turn of events, a thief returned a Radha-Krishna idol to a temple in Sangam city, Prayagraj eight days after he stole it. The thief returned the Ashtadhatu (eight-metal alloy) idol with an apology letter, prompting devotees to label the act a “miracle in Kaliyug”.
The centuries-old statue was stolen from the Gau Ghat Ashram at Shringaverpur Dham, around 45 km from the city, on September 24. The temple priest, Falahari Mahant Swami Jayaram Das Maharaj, had filed an FIR at the Nawabganj police station, following which two suspects were detained. While police were still trying to locate the idols, the real thief left the idol near the temple along with the apology letter.
What did the Apology Letter Say?
On Tuesday, at around 11:30am, a passerby noticed the statue placed near the ashram and informed the Mahant about it. Upon hearing the news, the Mahant and the police arrived at the scene, and the police took possession of the idol.
In the apology letter, the thief said he had stolen the idol out of ignorance and had been plagued by nightmares ever since the act. He also mentioned that his son’s illness made him realise his mistake. He confessed to tampering with the idol in an attempt to sell it and sought forgiveness from God. He further appealed to the temple priest to re-install the idol in the temple.
Following legal procedures, the police returned the idol to the Mahant who re-installed it in the temple in a small ceremony.
The thief’s change of heart and the apology letter have sparked significant discussion in the area.
The police refrained from making any official statements. Officials confirmed that an FIR was registered for the theft and vandalism at Nawabganj police station, and the search for the thief who returned the idol with an apology is ongoing.
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