Ahmedabad Rural LCB cracks Modasar temple theft; arrests accused, recovers silver offerings worth ₹4 lakh
Updated: Jan 27th, 2026
The Local Crime Branch (LCB) of Ahmedabad Rural has solved a theft case involving a village temple in Modasar and arrested the accused, recovering silver offerings worth over ₹4.2 lakh that had been stolen from the shrine, police said on Tuesday.
According to officials, the theft occurred on the night of January 20, 2026, when unidentified persons broke open the lock of the Meldimata temple in Modasar village and gained entry into the premises. The thieves decamped with 17 small and large silver coins and other items, collectively weighing around 1.15 kg, which had been offered by devotees over time.
The incident had caused distress among devotees and local residents. Police officials noted that incidents of temple thefts had been reported from different police station limits in the district in recent months.
Following the Modasar theft, a team led by LCB Police Inspector R N Karamatiya initiated an investigation. Officers examined CCTV footage from the temple premises and nearby areas, verified suspicious movements and used technical inputs alongside local intelligence to trace the culprit.
Police said that based on specific and reliable human intelligence, the LCB team detained a suspect and questioned him at length. During interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed to the theft.
The arrested man has been identified as Kirpal Sing Vaghela, a resident of Darbar Vas in Rethal village of Sanand taluka, Ahmedabad district.
During the operation, the police recovered all 17 silver items, weighing approximately 1.15 kg and valued at around ₹4,22 lakh which were seized from the accused. The recovered property has since been handed over to the Changodar police station for further legal proceedings.
A case has been registered at Changodar police station under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections. Further investigation is underway to ascertain whether the accused was involved in similar thefts elsewhere, officials added.
