Jharkhand Police Recover Stolen Jain Idol, Bust Brown Sugar Racket in Dual Ops

Jharkhand Police on Thursday said they had solved the theft of a nearly 100-year-old Ashtadhatu idol of the 24 Tirthankaras from the Shantinath Digambar Jain Temple in Chatra district within hours of the incident, while a separate anti-narcotics operation in Hazaribag led to the arrest of five alleged drug traffickers.

According to Chatra Superintendent of Police Animesh Naithani, the idol was stolen from the historic Jain temple located in Itkhori on May 20. Acting on a complaint filed by temple administrator Tarachand Jain, police registered an FIR at the Itkhori police station against unidentified persons and launched an investigation.

A special raiding team formed under the supervision of the Itkhori police station in-charge arrested one accused, identified as Sandeep Sing , and recovered the stolen idol within two hours of the theft. Police also seized the motorcycle allegedly used in the crime.

The recovered idol, made of Ashtadhatu , an alloy of eight metals traditionally used in religious sculptures, is estimated to be worth around Rs 50 lakh . Police said the accused allegedly intended to transport the idol to Karol Bagh in Delhi to sell it.

The SP further claimed that the accused was a chain smoker and allegedly committed the theft while under the influence of ganja.

In a separate operation, Hazaribag Superintendent of Police Aman Kumar said five alleged criminals involved in the illegal trade of brown sugar were arrested under the jurisdiction of the Ichak Police Station.

Police recovered nearly 52 grams of brown sugar and seven smartphones from the accused during the operation. Further investigation into the narcotics network is underway.