The Nilgiri police of Baleswar district have arrested a 50-year-old man from Etah in Uttar Pradesh in connection with the stealing of the century-old Vajra Varhi idol from the Marichi temple of Ayodhya at Nilgiri on last December 26 night.
Following burglary of the priceless idol, the Baleswar police were under tremendous pressure as there was a lot of discontentment among people.
The arrested person is identified as Suresh Yadav of village Dwarakapuri under the Kotwali police station in UP.
The Nilgiri PS IIC Ramesh Singh, who raided the village following a tipoff along with his team, said Yadav is the prime accused. He was brought on remand; and following interrogation, was forwarded to court on Monday.
The stolen two-and-a-half-feet-high idol made of granite is not traced yet, Singh said.
He said the crime was committed by Yadav and four of his accomplices, including a man from Banpur in Khordha district of Odisha who was arrested earlier.
“The gang had made a recee in the Ayodhya area prior to the night of the burglary. The idol was taken to UP by the miscreants and is the possession of those yet to be nabbed. Effort is on to nab them and recover the idol, which is still believed not being sold out,” added Singh.