Daring Night Heist: ₹40 Lakh Gold Kalash Stolen from Delhi Temple

In a shocking incident that has left the Jain community reeling, a gold-plated 'kalash' (urn) valued at approximately ₹40 lakh was stolen from the spire of the Digambar Jain Temple in northeast Delhi's Jyoti Nagar area during the intervening night of October 10 and 11, 2025. The theft, which occurred under the cover of darkness while residents were immersed in Karva Chauth celebrations, was captured on the temple's CCTV cameras, providing crucial leads to investigators. The sacred artifact, crafted from 'asth-dhatu'—an auspicious alloy of eight metals including gold, silver, copper, and zinc—and adorned with around 200 grams of gold plating, had adorned the temple's rooftop for several years, symbolizing prosperity and divine blessings in Jain tradition. The discovery of the missing kalash by a temple staffer on Saturday morning prompted an immediate report to the Jyoti Nagar police station, where Neeraj Jain, the 58-year-old president of the temple committee and a resident of East Jyoti Nagar, lodged the FIR.

CCTV footage, now circulating widely on social media platforms like X and Instagram, offers a chilling glimpse into the audacious crime. In one clip, a shadowy figure is seen scaling a nearby pole to access the temple's spire, deftly removing the kalash before descending with apparent ease. A second video, timestamped around 2:00 AM, shows the suspect clutching the 18-inch-tall urn—resembling a ornate pitcher with intricate engravings—as he slips away into the dimly lit alleyways. Eyewitnesses, including night-shift workers from adjacent shops, reported hearing faint metallic clinks but dismissed them amid the festive din of Karva Chauth, a festival where married women fast for their husbands' longevity. The temple, a modest yet revered structure established in the 1980s serving over 500 families in the locality, lacks advanced security measures like motion-sensor alarms, a vulnerability the police are now addressing. Initial forensic analysis of the footage indicates the thief wore gloves and a hooded jacket, suggesting premeditation and familiarity with the area.

Delhi Police have swiftly mobilized specialized teams, including cyber experts for digital footprint tracing and undercover operatives for ground surveillance, to apprehend the culprit. A senior officer revealed that technical surveillance, including analysis of nearby mobile tower data and facial recognition software, is underway to track the suspect's movements post-theft. The investigation has expanded to include potential black-market networks in Delhi's bustling jewelry bazaars like Chandni Chowk, where stolen religious artifacts are often melted down or resold. Community leaders, including Priyank Jain, vice president of the temple committee, expressed profound anguish, stating, "The Jain community is deeply hurt by this incident. Our temples must be kept safe so that devotees can pray in peace. The SHO has assured us that the stolen kalash will be recovered soon." Rajesh Jain, a former temple president, added that senior officials, including the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) and Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), are personally overseeing the probe, emphasizing the artifact's spiritual significance as a conduit for divine energy in Jain rituals.

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This brazen theft marks the second such outrage against Jain ceremonial items in Delhi within two months, raising alarms about a possible organized syndicate targeting religious sites. On September 3, during a high-profile Jain procession near the Red Fort attended by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, three gold artifacts—a large 'jhari' (urn), 'jag' (pitcher), and 'bariyal' (container)—worth ₹1.5 crore were pilfered from a ceremonial chariot. Delhi Police's subsequent operation led to the arrest of three suspects from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, uncovering a ring that fenced stolen goods through interstate channels. Investigators suspect links between the two incidents, with the Jyoti Nagar kalash potentially intended for similar illicit trade. The surge in such crimes coincides with rising gold prices, hovering at ₹75,000 per 10 grams, making religious heirlooms prime targets for quick profits. Community advocates are now calling for enhanced security protocols, including 24/7 patrols and AI-enabled cameras at over 200 Jain temples across the National Capital Region (NCR).

As the probe intensifies, the theft transcends mere larceny, striking at the heart of cultural and spiritual heritage. For the Jyoti Nagar faithful, the kalash was more than metal—it embodied generations of devotion and communal harmony. With Diwali approaching, the incident has amplified calls for vigilant guardianship of sacred spaces, lest faith be overshadowed by fear. Delhi Police remain optimistic, with the DCP assuring, "We are leaving no stone unturned; the accused will be in custody soon." As social media buzzes with solidarity posts and demands for justice, the city holds its breath, hoping for a swift resolution that restores not just the artifact, but the community's unshakeable trust in their sanctuaries.

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