India has urged Bangladesh to investigate the reported theft of a religious article that was gifted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Jeshoreshwari Kali temple during his visit in 2021.

In a social media post, the Indian High Commission in Dhaka expressed deep concern over the theft and called upon the authorities to recover the article and take action against the perpetrators of the crime.

“We have seen reports of theft of the crown gifted by PM Modi to Jeshoreshwari Kali Temple (Satkhira) in 2021 during his visit to Bangladesh,” it said, adding “We express deep concern and urge Govt of Bangladesh to investigate theft, recover the crown and take action against the perpetrators.”

Separately, Indian government sources said New Delhi is deeply disturbed by the reported incident of theft. The Indian High Commission in Dhaka is in touch with Bangladesh authorities on the issue, they said.

The Bangladesh law enforcement authorities have been urged to investigate the incident, recover the stolen article and bring the guilty to book, sources said.

As per reports, the gold-plated crown of goddess Kali at the temple in Satkhira’s Shyamnagar was stolen on Thursday afternoon. The absence of the crown from the deity’s head was noticed by the cleaning staff after temple priest Dilip Mukherjee left around two pm.

Prime Minister Modi had visited the Jeshoreshwari Temple on March 27, 2021, as part of his tour to Bangladesh. The visit coincided with the celebrations of Bangladesh’s Golden Jubilee of Independence and the birth centenary of its founding leader, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The temple is considered among the 52 ‘Shakti Peethas (seats of the Goddess) and is believed to have been constructed in the late 12th Century.