Thieves broke into a Sai Baba temple in Bihar's Motihari and stole valuables worth around Rs 20 lakh, including Sai Baba's umbrella and Lord Ganesha's crown. The priest was asleep and the temple's CCTV camera had been defunct for six weeks.

The SP suspended patrolling teams and formed an SIT to investigate the theft.Thieves flee with Sai Baba's umbrella, Ganesha's crownMotihari,Oct 21, 2026 17:08 ISTThieves broke into a famous Sai Baba temple in Bihar’s Motihari and fled with Sai Baba’s umbrella and Lord Ganesha’s crown, with the stolen valuables estimated to be worth around Rs 20 lakh.The incident took place late at night at the Sai Baba temple in Miskot locality, under the jurisdiction of Motihari Town Police Station. The thieves allegedly broke the temple’s door and forced open the latch of the inner sanctum before making off with the valuables.The stolen umbrella, weighing around 8-10 kg, and the crown of Lord Ganesha, weighing approximately 100 grams, are together estimated to be worth Rs 20 lakh.At the time of the theft, the temple priest was sleeping inside the premises.

Investigators also found that the CCTV camera installed at the temple had reportedly been non-functional for around one-and-a-half months. The theft triggered anger among devotees, with a large crowd gathering at the temple after the incident came to light.

Local residents alerted the police through emergency number 112, following which a team reached the spot and began an investigation.Police recovered a crowbar and other tools allegedly used in the theft from inside the temple. The donation box, however, remained untouched, according to a temple authority, who said a written complaint had also been submitted to the police.

Taking a tough stand, the Motihari Superintendent of Police suspended the patrolling and motorcycle teams of the Town Police Station. An SIT has been formed to investigate the theft, while a State Forensic Science Laboratory (SFSL) team has also been called in to assist with the probe.Police are examining CCTV footage from cameras installed in the surrounding area to identify the suspects.- EndsInputs from Sachin Panday