A 350-year-old Hanuman Mandir in Punjab’s Barnewala (Dhanaula) was robbed of valuables on 14 January by miscreants who also reportedly desecrated the Mandir.
According to the received information, thieves made off with a haul that included 25 kg of silver ornaments, gold and silver crowns, 25 kilograms of silver umbrellas, two silver bracelets, a silver mace, a silver khuram, and a silver chariot that adorned the statue of Shri Hanuman. Additionally, eight tola of gold ornaments featuring four gold eyes and a gold tilak were stolen, along with cash from the Mandir golak (donation box).
Sub-Inspector Lakhwinder Singh, the head of the police station, reported that a review of footage from 9 CCTV cameras in the Mandir courtyard revealed the entry of two thieves who had climbed over the temple wall from the rear—the thieves, posing as individuals engaged in the temple’s recce, carefully surveyed the entire environment. Furthermore, evidence of motorcycle tire marks was discovered at the temple’s rear.
The Barnala police achieved a breakthrough by apprehending four thieves implicated in the burglary at the historic Hanuman Mandir in Dhanaula. Moreover, the stolen gold and silver jewellery has been successfully retrieved. The culprits involved in this criminal act have been recognized as Balkar Gursharan, Ramphal alias Raju, and Gursevak Singh, all residents of Sangrur district.
