Two 19-year-olds held for stealing copper utensils from eight Ganesh pandals in Surat: Police

Police said the accused, Akash Dantani and Sohil Dantani (both 19), told them that they were trying to steal the utensils when an idol accidentally fell down and broke.

According to police, the theft was first detected in the Darukhana area of Mahidharpura on Wednesday morning when the local residents went to a local Ganesh Pandal for morning prayers. They found an idol, around 2 feet in height, in a damaged state while a few copper utensils were missing.

As news spread on social media, a number of people gathered at the spot. Police also arrived and recorded statements of members of the pandal. As the day progressed, seven other pandals in the area contacted the police and informed them about similar theft of copper utensils.

The personnel checked CCTV of one of the pandals and found two youths entering the premises and leaving with cash and copper utensils. The video footage was handed to different branches of Surat police and a search was initiated for the suspects. Later in the afternoon, Crime Branch personnel caught the two teenagers from Singhanpore area.

Assistant Commissioner of Police, E Division, R R Ahir said, “The theft incident (that was first reported) took place between 3.30 am and 4.00 am on Wednesday. Both youths were in the business of purchasing household items and selling them on carts in different residential societies. Due to a shortage of cash, they could not buy new utensils and decided to steal something valuable from the pandals.”

The ACP said the accused have confessed to stealing cash and copper utensils from eight pandals. “While stealing cash from a donation box placed under a two-foot-tall Ganesh idol at Darukhana area, they accidentally lost their grip, and the idol fell on the floor. Later, they took cash and escaped with copper utensils,” he added.

Ahir said police have now been stationed at all pandals in the area for security purposes.

Police have recovered all the stolen copper items and handed them over to the Mahidharpura police.

The accused have been booked under theft charges.

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