April 22, 2014: Community members angry over theft; demand quick action

Making a mockery of the ‘heavy’ police and paramilitary security thrown over the city and down town areas ahead of the Parliament Election, burglars broke into the Digambar Mahavir Jain Temple late in the night on Sunday and decamped with precious idols and cash.

Digambar Jain temple, located at Laxmi Nagar area, was targeted by thieves for the second time in six months on Sunday late night. Miscreants absconded away with six ‘ ashtadhatu’ idols, a big silver plate weighing 2.5 kg, 11 silver urns, two silver small urns, 18 silver crowns, five silver thrones, a throne of brass, two silver yantras, one copper yantra, one brass yantra, all weighing around 10 kg, and cash from donation box; total worth lakhs.

All the idols stolen away are said to be 30- 40 years old. As per CCTV footages, a masked miscreant entered inside the temple and surveyed around for two hours. Burglars broke into the temple after damaging the backdoor of the temple. The incident came to light when the priest, Sanjay Sharma arrived at the temple at 5 am on Monday. He was shocked to see all the plundering in the shrine and to find it burgled.

Afterwards around 800 angry community members did not allow the police to enter temple premises when they came to know about burglary. However, after senior officers of police reached the spot and sought cooperation, the police teams were allowed to investigates Anurag, ASP Rajesh Vyas and FSL officers rushed to the spot in the morning for investigations.

Forensic experts and dog squad were called for taking finger prints and collect other evidences connected to the burglary.Madhav Nagar police station staff is studying the CCTV footages to match it with recorded criminals and to get more clues in the incident. The police are continuing with their investigation and looking for some leads. It was told that due to renovation works, the guard- room was damaged a couple of days ago hence no guards were present at the time of incident.

Women devotees gathered at the spot and started chanting holy mantras for forgiveness. Lord Mahavir, Parshwanathji, Shantinathji, Adinathji, Vasupujyaji, Digambar Jain temple where theft took place in Ujjain on Monday. FP photo Jain community members arguing with police officials in Ujjain on Sunday. FP photo

Vasupujyaji, and Sidhhji, were like the heads of our family whom we have lost. “ We made this temple brick by brick. How happy we were when the idols were brought from across the country. Please bring them back”; the devout women of the community urged police.

Meanwhile, locals and community members, who gathered at spot after breakout of news, demanded immediate arrest of the culprits.

Jain community to submit memo to CM today

Entire Jain community will assemble at Tower Chowk at 9 am on Tuesday to hand over a memorandum addressing to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan in protest of theft occurred at Jain temple. An important meeting was organised under the chairmanship of Ashok Jain Chaywala on Monday evening.

Reward of Rs 5K announced on arrest of thieves

Taking quick action in sensational theft at Jain temple in Lakshmi Nagar on Sunday night; city police, on Monday, announced a reward of Rs 5000 on the arrest of unidentified miscreants. SP Anurag informed that an FIR was registered against accused at Madhav Nagar police station under Section 457 and 380 of IPC. Police is still clueless to identify the miscreants. Anyone informing about the miscreant will be given reward of Rs 5000.

13- member team constituted

To investigate into the theft case and to arrest the accused, a team comprising 13 police officials was constituted by SP Anurag. The team will be led by ASP Rajesh Vyas. The team comprises FSL officer Arvind Nayak, CSP Vijay Dabar, finger print officer Manoj Singh Rajput, Dewasgate TI ogendra Singh Sisodia, Madhav Nagar TI RK Singh, ASI Kantilal Choudhary, ASI Cyber Cell Devendra Singh, head constables Chandrabhan Singh, Santosh Rao, Raman Pal, Bhupendra Singh, Sunil Kumar Jha and Vinod Dhakad.

Three cops suspended

SP Anurag suspended three policemen who practiced negligence during police patrolling on Sunday night. Head constable of Madhav Nagar police station Radheshyam, constable Shivraj from DRP line and patrolling officer SI Deepak Shejwar were suspended for practicing negligence during patrolling.