Mirzapur (Uttar Pradesh): A late-night theft at the ancient Sheetla Devi Temple in Vijaypur village, under the Vindhyachal police station area of Mirzapur district, has triggered concern among local residents. The incident occurred around 12:30 am on December 23, 2025, when two unidentified thieves entered the temple premises and attempted to steal silver coins affixed to the main gate.
Silver Coins Fixed on Temple Gate
According to temple priests and villagers, silver coins donated by devotees had been fixed to the temple’s main entrance as a symbol of faith and decoration. Armed with tools such as hammers and screwdrivers, the thieves began prying the coins off, creating loud noises that alerted people sleeping nearby.
Villagers Wake Up, Chase the Thieves
Hearing the sounds, villagers and the temple priest rushed to the spot and quickly surrounded the temple. Sensing danger, one of the thieves managed to flee the scene, while the other was caught by villagers after a brief chase.
28 Coins Stolen, 12 Recovered
Preliminary information suggests that 28 silver coins were stolen from the temple. Upon searching the apprehended suspect, villagers recovered 12 silver coins from his possession. Police are investigating the whereabouts of the remaining coins.
Police Reach the Spot, Probe Underway
On receiving information, Gaipura outpost in-charge Sanjay Singh and Vindhyachal police station in-charge Brahmdin Pandey arrived at the temple along with police personnel. The caught suspect was taken into custody and is being questioned.
Questions Over Mental Condition of Accused
Police sources said the detained accused has not clearly disclosed his identity and has been attempting to mislead investigators during questioning. Some villagers have also claimed that the suspect appears to be mentally unstable. Police officials said this aspect is also being examined.
Search for Absconding Thief Continues
Police teams are currently searching for the absconding accomplice. Meanwhile, villagers have expressed concern over the security of the temple and have demanded stricter safety arrangements to prevent such incidents in the future.
The incident has once again raised questions about the safety of religious sites in rural areas, prompting calls for increased night patrolling and surveillance.
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