After a troubling wave of thefts swept through temples and homes in Telangana’s Nirmal district, police have finally broken the case wide open. Four individuals are now in custody, accused of carrying out 25 separate robberies—many targeting places of worship.

Key facts

  • Four suspects arrested: Marepeddi Rajashekhar (28), Gadchanda Rajeshwar (26), Kalgaddawar Srikanth (22), Sara Saikiran (30)
  • 12 kg of silver ornaments and religious items recovered
  • Stolen property linked to 16 out of 25 cases retrieved
  • Recoveries include temple crowns, silver bars, cash, and melting equipment

The Breakthrough

Nirmal SP G. Janaki Sharmila formed the ‘Tigers Task Force’ specifically to tackle the surge in thefts. The team meticulously analyzed CCTV footage, technical data, and the suspects' previous offenses to connect the dots. Their efforts paid off—not only were the four men apprehended, but a significant portion of the stolen goods was also recovered.

What Was Stolen—and Recovered

Among the retrieved items were sacred silver crowns from several temples, including a main deity’s crown, a processional deity’s silver crown, and a Vinayaka crown from an Ayyappa temple. At the Shastrinagar Anjaneyaswamy temple, police found a silver crown, a Vinayaka crown, the deity’s trunk and ears, and a silver necklace. A one-kilogram crown was also recovered from a Venkateswara Swamy temple in Mamada.

Other recoveries included silver padukas, plates, necklaces, waist chains, bangles, lamps, and bars of silver—some traced even into neighboring Andhra Pradesh.

“At the Shastrinagar Anjaneyaswamy temple, we recovered a silver crown, a Vinayaka crown, the deity’s trunk and ears and a silver necklace. A 1 kg crown was recovered from a Venkateswara Swamy temple in Mamada,” explained the officer.

Ongoing Investigation

While 16 of the 25 cases have seen stolen property returned, police confirm that investigations into the remaining incidents are still active. The Tigers Task Force will continue its surveillance efforts to prevent further thefts targeting temples, homes, and shops across the district.