In a major temple theft case, Paldi police have arrested a priest and a couple employed as cleaners for allegedly stealing silver ornaments and decorative items worth ₹1.14 crore from the Shitalnath–Vasupujya Jain Derasar in Shantivan, Paldi.
The complaint, filed by businessman and Shri Lakshmivardhak Jain Sangh district secretary Rajesh Champaklal Shah (54), stated that the theft occurred between July 27, 2023, and October 8, 2025. During a routine inspection, temple authorities found several silver artefacts and ornaments missing from a basement locker.
The stolen items include silver crowns, pendants, kundals, and wall decorations weighing around 117 kg, including silver “Angis” (idol garments) and crowns belonging to Lords Shitalnath and Vasupujya.
The accused — priest Mehul Harisingh Rathod, and cleaners Kiran and Hetal (alias Puriben) Vadhari — allegedly used duplicate keys to open the locker. While Hetal was arrested by Paldi police, Rathod and Kiran were caught by the Crime Branch.
According to investigators, CCTV footage from October 4 shows Rathod switching off the temple’s power supply at 2:45 pm, disabling the cameras, and restoring it at 5:30 pm. On October 9, he reportedly left the city and did not return.
Further inquiry revealed that the cleaner couple, who lived in a trust-owned flat behind the temple, had recently bought a car despite their modest income. Temple trustees confirmed the ornaments were missing after inspection.
Police have booked the trio under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for theft and criminal breach of trust and have launched a detailed investigation.