Thief nabbed in temple

PUNE, Sept 3: Raju Nagnath Mane, a resident of Solapur, was arrested early on Thursday morning while he was trying to burgle a Ganesh temple near Shaniwar Wada built during the Peshawe era.

Police said Mane forced entry into the historic temple in Shaniwar Peth after removing the steel mesh fit below its doors on Wednesday night. Earlier, he had allegedly cut a piece of plywood fit on the temple door and tried to enter inside.

An alert neighbour, who noticed the sound, alarmed a police team led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Traffic Suresh Kamlakar who was patrolling the area.

Mane was found hiding atop a loft in the temple after the police summonedthe priest and opened the temple. Cash of Rs 4,750 and a silver tooth which was removed from the ancient idol were found on his person, according to the police.