Mumbai Beat

Stolen temple paintings recovered

Officers of the crime branch swung into action after a delegation, including trustees from Bhuleshwar8217;s Mota Mandir, complained that three such paintings were stolen from the temple complex. They pleaded that the stolen items, besides having antique value, formed the backdrop of the temple. These large cloth paintings, called pichawais, are woven with a gold thread. Each painting, measuring about 15 ft by 15 ft, depicts mythological stories. Though no arrests have been made so far, the paintings were found abandoned after the police launched a manhunt to nab the accused. Persons connected with the temple could be behind the robbery, police suspect.