NEW DELHI, May 12 -- The Delhi Police Crime Branch has arrested an alleged inter-state temple theft kingpin and proclaimed offender wanted in multiple cases across Punjab, Kerala and Karnataka, officials said on Tuesday.
The accused, identified as Mohit Sharma alias Mama (44), a resident of Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh, had been absconding for a long period and was declared a proclaimed offender by a Punjab court in connection with a temple theft case registered at City Khanna police station.
According to police, Sharma specialised in targeting temples and religious places in isolated or poorly guarded areas. He allegedly stole silver idols, donation box collections, religious ornaments and other valuables, while frequently changing hideouts and travelling across states to evade arrest. Police said he was wanted in several temple theft cases registered in Kozhikode and Ernakulam in Kerala, Karwar Town in Karnataka, and Punjab. Acting on a tip-off regarding his movement in Delhi, a Crime Branch team laid a trap near Patiala House Court on May 11 and apprehended him after a brief chase.
During interrogation, Sharma allegedly revealed that he was introduced to temple thefts by an associate while working at a dairy in his village.
Investigators said Sharma has a long criminal history, with cases related to theft, robbery, arms offences and gangster activities registered against him in several states.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.