The Nilgiri police which on 19 January had arrested Suresh Yadav of Uttar Pradesh in connection with an idol theft from Marichi Temple has now tracked the mastermind of the temple idol/antique theft racket who belongs to Puri district.
Yadav was arrested but the idol Vajra Varahi is not yet recovered. During interrogation of Yadav, police could learn that one man from Odisha is the mastermind behind this type of crime. “ Yadav revealed the name of a person who belongs to Puri district.
We now have information about the members in the gang as well as location of certain idols and antiques stolen from different temples in Odisha . The main accused and three others have been identified but are absconding” said ” said Ramesh Singh, the IIC Nilgiri.
Yadav is being interrogated after police secured three demands remand. More revelations will come up of temple theft in different parts of Odisha and other states, said the police.