In an unusual turn of events, a thief who had stolen a Radha Krishna idol from a temple in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj district returned it on the 1st of October. Alongside the idol, he left an apology letter explaining the troubles he had been facing since committing the crime. In his note, the thief confessed to experiencing a string of misfortunes, including his son falling ill, which he attributed to the theft. The idol, made from the sacred ashtadhatu (an alloy of eight metals), was promptly reinstalled in the temple after performing necessary rituals, restoring peace to the place of worship.

Mahant (priest) Jayaram Das shared with OpIndia that the idol was found abandoned in a jute sack near the entrance of the ashram. It was discovered by locals at around 11:30 am, who immediately recognized the significance of the object. "The idol had been left by the robber in a jute sack close to the ashram's entrance," said Mahant Jayaram Das, highlighting how close the thief came to the temple again after days of guilt. “People spotted the idol in front of the ashram located on the Handia-Kokhraj service road at around 11:30 am.” This sighting created a buzz of activity as locals rushed to notify the temple priest and the authorities.

The incident relates to the Nawabganj police station area of ​​Prayagraj district, where the Khasla Ashram stands in the Gaughat region. “Locals on Tuesday evening spotted a man running after leaving a sack outside the ashram road and became doubtful and frightened over the unclaimed sack. When they mustered the courage to open it, they found the idol of Radha Krishna and further informed the priest of the temple as well as the police,” shared Nawabganj inspector Anil Kumar Mishra. The community was initially shaken by the sight of an unattended sack, as its contents were unknown. However, once the idol was revealed, their fear transformed into relief.

This particular idol, nearly 100 years old, holds immense spiritual and historical value. Crafted from ashtadhatu, a rare and sacred octo-alloy composed of gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, tin, iron, and mercury, the idol has been a centerpiece in the temple’s sanctum sanctorum for generations. Its sudden disappearance on the 23rd of September 2024 led to a formal complaint by Mahant Jayaram Das, who immediately reported the theft to the authorities. A case was registered, and the police launched an active search for the thief.

The temple, located within the Khasla Ashram, stands as a revered spiritual hub for the community, and the loss of the idol had left many deeply unsettled. 

The thief responsible for the theft of the Radha Krishna idol remained elusive for more than a week, causing deep distress among the temple community. The Mahant, Jayaram Das, was particularly heartbroken by the incident, so much so that he stopped eating, and the disciples of the ashram fell into a state of depression as well. The atmosphere in the temple had grown somber, weighed down by the absence of the beloved idol. However, the thief, haunted by his actions, decided to return the stolen artifact. He placed the idol near the temple, along with an apology letter addressed to the Mahant, before slipping away quietly. Although he did not reveal his identity, he did express deep remorse for his actions. “I have made a huge mistake. I am having bad dreams and have not been able to sleep, eat, and live peacefully since I stole the idol,” the thief wrote in his letter, revealing the emotional turmoil he had been experiencing.

In his message, the thief extended his greetings to the Mahant and further elaborated on the personal suffering he and his family had endured as a result of the theft. “My son and wife have also become seriously ill. I have done a very bad thing for a little money. I have tampered with the idol with the intention to sell it,” he confessed. His words conveyed a sense of desperation and regret. The thief had hoped to profit from selling the sacred artifact but was instead plagued by frightening dreams and misfortune. “Moreover, I am fed up with the scary dreams and am returning your ‘amaanat’. I am apologising for my mistake and leaving the idol. I request you to pardon me for my error and restore the Lord’s place in the temple. Please accept your idol and forgive our children.” His plea for forgiveness was heartfelt, as he sought to make amends for his actions, not only for his own sake but also for the wellbeing of his family.

Despite the thief's admission of guilt, his identity remains unknown. It was also revealed that, in his misguided attempt to sell the idol, he had gone as far as to have it polished, perhaps in an effort to increase its value. Nevertheless, the return of the idol brought immense joy to the ashram. The once somber atmosphere was replaced by relief and happiness, as the beloved deity was finally back in its rightful place. Preparations were immediately made to reinstall the idol in the temple, following sacred rituals, including a jalabhishek – a ceremonial bathing of the idol with water to purify it after its absence.

The police were informed of the developments, and further legal action is now in progress to investigate the matter fully. Speaking to OpIndia, Mahant Jayaram Das shared how he had placed his faith in divine justice following the theft. “I am the Mahant of Siddha Mandir, and I had prayed to God for justice after the theft,” he said, expressing his belief that the return of the idol was a testament to the power of divine intervention.

Their confession was startling, not only because of the nature of their actions but also due to the eerie series of events that followed their misdeed. After committing the sacrilegious act, both Raheem and Taufiq reported experiencing severe physical illness. They revealed that “after that act, both of them started vomiting blood and experienced bloody dysentery,” conditions that they believed were direct consequences of their wrongdoing. Their health rapidly deteriorated, and the situation grew even more tragic when they spoke of their accomplice, Nawaz.

According to Raheem and Taufiq, Nawaz’s fate was far more horrifying. “Nawaz became insane and died by banging his head on the wall of his house,” they disclosed to the priests. In his final moments, Nawaz reportedly spoke of how Lord Koragajja, the deity of the temple they had desecrated, was angry with them. His last words seemed to confirm their worst fears, as he cried out that the deity had unleashed his wrath upon them. This bizarre and tragic series of events left both Taufiq and Raheem terrified, deeply remorseful for their actions.

Desperate for forgiveness, the two men returned to the temple, humbling themselves before the priest. “Taufiq and Raheem begged for mercy from the temple priest by holding their ears,” a traditional gesture of seeking forgiveness in Indian culture. Their plea for redemption was a powerful moment, as they sought to make amends for their actions that had not only disrespected the temple but had also led to their physical suffering and the death of their accomplice.

This incident, much like the one in Prayagraj, is a stark reminder of the consequences that can follow acts of desecration, not only in terms of legal action but also in the form of guilt, fear, and, as these men believed, divine retribution. The tale of Nawaz’s tragic demise and the suffering endured by Raheem and Taufiq serves as a cautionary story about the weight of actions taken against sacred spaces and beliefs.