The Thawe Temple theft took a dramatic turn when police injured a main suspect in a half-encounter on Saturday. The accused, Ismail Alam, opened fire on officers during a raid near Rikai Tola in Gopalganj district. Police recovered some of the stolen items and arrested him.
The Thawe Temple theft occurred on the night of December 17–18. Masked thieves broke into the Durga shrine and stole the goddess’s gold crown, necklaces, and other valuable jewelry. They also took donation boxes. The total loss is estimated at over ₹1 crore. CCTV cameras captured the entire crime, shocking devotees and locals.
After getting a tip, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) traced the suspect. When police tried to arrest him, he resisted and fired at them. The gunfight left him injured in the leg. Police recovered parts of the stolen crown, a mobile phone, and other evidence.
During questioning, the suspect admitted his role and revealed information about other gang members. Authorities are conducting further raids to catch the remaining suspects. Security at the Thawe Temple has been strengthened, and police promise a complete investigation to ensure the safety of devotees.
