Surat – A series of thefts at eight Ganesh pandals in the Mahidharpura area late last night left devotees angry and disturbed. Thieves stole silver idols, copper and brass lamps, cash, and other worship materials from the pandals, all located within a stretch of just 50 meters across four lanes.
During the incident, one of the Ganesh idols was damaged, prompting devotees to install a new idol in the morning and resume rituals and prayers. CCTV footage captured images of the culprits, enabling police to act swiftly. Within hours, two suspects identified as Akash alias Tambo Govind Dantani and Sohil Sai Dantani were arrested along with the stolen items.
As per report, Deputy Commissioner of Police Raghav Jain clarified that the case was purely one of theft and not an attempt to hurt religious sentiments. He emphasized that the accused themselves belonged to the Hindu community and urged people not to believe in rumors but to maintain peace and harmony.
Following the incident, police held discussions with local legislators, community leaders, and Ganesh festival organizers to review the situation. Devotees later gathered for a collective aarti to restore positivity and calm.
Police are currently interrogating the accused and investigating whether a larger network was involved in the thefts. The incident has highlighted the need for heightened vigilance during festive celebrations in the city.
