Buxar (Bihar): In an emotionally significant moment for devotees, the Ram Darbar idols stolen from Dhakaich Thakurbari in Buxar district have finally been released from police custody after nearly three years. Following a court order, the ashtadhatu (eight-metal) idols of Lord Ram, Sita, Lakshman, Bharat, Hanuman and other deities were formally released from the Koilwar police station malkhana on Tuesday.
The idols, popularly referred to as “Ram Lalla and his entire family”, were handed over after legal formalities were completed. A large number of devotees and social workers gathered at the police station to witness the moment. After performing traditional puja and rituals, the idols were respectfully taken back to the Thakurbari.
Idols Were Stolen in January 2023
According to official records, the idols were stolen on January 21, 2023, from Dhakaich Thakurbari located in Buxar district. The very next day, on January 22, police recovered all seven idols during a vehicle-checking operation on the Koilwar-Babura road.
The idols were found inside a Swift Dzire car, and the police arrested a man identified as Dilkumar, a resident of Minapur police station area in Muzaffarpur district, along with an illegal firearm.
Since their recovery, the idols had remained sealed and stored in the police station’s malkhana as part of the ongoing legal proceedings.
Released on a Bond of Rs 6 Lakh
After nearly three years of court procedures, the idols were released under judicial instructions. The release was granted after the submission of a bond worth Rs 6 lakh.
However, sources also mentioned that Barka Dhakaich Sarpanch Bindu Devi and Kusum Devi jointly submitted a bond amounting to Rs 9 lakh to ensure the legal release and safe return of the idols to the temple.
Estimated Value Over Rs 60 Crore
The recovered ashtadhatu idols are believed to be extremely valuable, with their estimated worth said to be more than Rs 60 crore. Their cultural and religious importance is considered priceless for the local community.
Idols Believed to Be 300 Years Old
Speaking about the history of the idols, Kanhaiya Dubey, Secretary of Ram Janaki Math, said that the idols are believed to be nearly 300 years old and were originally installed by the King of Nepal centuries ago.
He also recalled that in 2011, a similar theft incident had taken place at the Math, during which the temple priest Bhuneshwar Das was murdered. The stolen idol from that incident was later recovered in 2013 and reinstalled.
Devotees Celebrate the Return
The return of the idols has brought relief and joy to devotees, who viewed the moment as the “homecoming” of Lord Ram and his family. The idols were taken back with full religious rituals and reverence, marking the end of a long and emotional wait for the local temple community.
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