PRAYAGRAJ: Scary dreams and serious illness of family members seem to have forced an unknown thief to return precious ashtadhatu idols of Radha Krishna near the famous Gau Ghat ashram-located temple under the limits of Nawabganj police station in the trans-Ganga pocket of Prayagraj district within seven days of stealing.
The thief also left behind a “confession” letter saying he was haunted by nightmares ever since the theft and, therefore, was returning the idol.The letter also sought forgiveness, the police said.
Nawabganj inspector Anil Kumar Mishra told TOI, “Mahant Swami Jairam Das Maharaj, the priest of Gau Ghat Ashram temple, had lodged a complaint with Nawabganj police station stating that the precious ashtadhatu of Radha Krishna was stolen from the temple on the night of September 23. We registered an FIR against unidentified thieves under the appropriate section of Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (theft).”
He, however, said, “Locals on Tuesday evening spotted a man running after leaving a sack outside the ashram road and became doubtful and frightened over the unclaimed sack. When they mustered the courage to open it, they found the idol of Radha Krishna and further informed the priest of the temple as well as the police.”
Locals also found a confession letter that read, “Maharaj Ji pranam, I did a major mistake and stole the idols of Lord Radha and Krishna unwillingly” (Maharaj ji pranam, mujh se bahut badi galti ho gayee thi Agyantavash maine bhagwan Radha Krishna ki murti Gau Ghat Mandir se chura liya tha).
He also mentioned that “I have been suffering from nightmares since I committed the theft and have not been able to sleep, eat, and live peacefully. Also, my son and wife became seriously ill since I committed the theft as I did it for some money.”
The letter also claimed, “I have tampered with the idol with the intention to sell it. Moreover, I am fed up with the scary dreams and am returning your ‘amaanat’ (valuables).”
The thief also sought an apology from the deities as well as the priest and appealed to place it inside the temple.
The Mahant, however, identified the stolen idols and started puja path after performing jalabhishek.
SHO, meanwhile, said, “The thief has packed the idols in double layers while returning and leaving it near Gau Ghat link mark road with an aim to take better care of it.”