Gopalganj: In a shocking incident that has reignited concerns over temple security, ancient Ashtadhatu idols of Lord Ram and Goddess Janaki were stolen from the Ram-Janaki temple in Bhatwalia village, Gopalganj district, Bihar. The theft, which took place late at night, marks the third time the temple has been targeted in just over a decade.
The idols, estimated to be worth Rs 20 lakh (£18,700), were discovered missing early Tuesday morning when the temple priest, Krishna Sah, arrived for the morning prayers. He found the temple’s lock broken and the idols gone. “The news of the theft has created a stir in the entire area,” Sah said. “I immediately informed the Manjha police.”
According to police, unidentified thieves broke into the temple through a rear window under the cover of darkness. A team led by Station House Officer Rajiv Ranjan Singh launched an immediate investigation and conducted a search of the surrounding fields and bushes, but no trace of the idols has yet been found. An FIR has been registered and several suspects are being questioned.
“We are scanning the CCTV footage in and around the temple premises,” said SHO Singh. “A special team has been formed to recover the stolen idols.”
The Ram-Janaki temple, built in 1962 with support from local villagers, holds deep spiritual significance in the region. Devotees from neighbouring districts regularly visit the site, and the theft has triggered outrage among the local community.
“This is not the first time we’ve faced such a crime,” said one villager. “Idols were stolen in 2012 and again in 2022. Although the police recovered them then, this repeated targeting shows how weak the security arrangements are.”
Residents are now demanding immediate upgrades to temple security, including the installation of more CCTV cameras and the deployment of guards. “The authorities must ensure this does not happen again,” a local resident said. “It’s not just about money—it’s about our faith.”
