Temple priest among 6 held for stealing ancient idols

Hyderabad: Cyberabad Police today arrested six persons, including a priest, for allegedly stealing three ancient panchaloha' (five-metal) idols, collectively worth over Rs 1 crore, from Chennakesava Swamy temple in Warangal district of Telangana.

The priest K Bixapathi (75), along with B Sampath, G Shankar, Reddy Ravi, L Mallaiah and N Mallaiah--all belonging to Warangal district--were nabbed while they were allegedly trying to sell the stolen idols of Lord Chennakesava Swamy, Bhudevi and Sridevi at KPHB area, they said.

As per investigation, Bixapathi had told other accused that the idols of the three deities at Chennakesava Swamy temple in Parlapally village of the district are very precious. He also lured them stating that these idols are worth crores of rupees in international market. They subsequently hatched a plan to commit theft of the idols in order to sell them, stated a release issued by Cyberabad Police.

On the advice of the priest, the accused broke open the lock of the temple on the intervening night of July 15 and 16 and committed the theft of the idols, it stated. The accused will be handed over to Warangal Police who had earlier registered a case in this regard.

PTI