India, June 13 -- In an embarrassment for the police and temple authorities, a 1.3-kg silver crown belonging to the Tulja Bhavani temple in Talegaon Dabhade was stolen again within hours of being ceremonially handed back to devotees after its recovery in an earlier theft case.

The crown was first stolen from the temple on May 23, prompting an intensive police investigation. Police subsequently arrested two men from Uttar Pradesh and recovered the ornament, drawing praise from local residents for the swift detection of the case.

To mark the recovery, villagers organised a special programme at the temple on Friday morning, during which the crown was formally handed over to temple authorities and placed back on the idol of Goddess Tulja Bh...