Sarkhej Roja's stolen 150-year-old heritage urn recovered, but 'worthless' now!

The Ahmedabad City Crime Branch has solved the theft of a 150-year-old Panjtan Pak urn from the historic Sarkhej Rojamausoleum—one of the city's most revered heritage sites and a Class-I National Protected Monument. Four accused have been arrested in connection with the theft, which had sparked concern among heritage conservationists and the devout alike. However, the stolen artefact is literally scrap now, with the accused having broken the urn into pieces, hoping to sell it.

The incident, which occurred on July 1, 2025, involved the removal of a sacred copper urn made of Panchdhatu (an alloy of five metals) from the dome of the dargah of Sheikh Ahmed Khattu Ganj Baksh Sahib. The artefact, revered by devotees for its spiritual significance, was traditionally used for offering prayers. Sarkhej Roza, over 575 years old, has been protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) since 1921 and was included in UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites. It played a pivotal role in Ahmedabad being declared India’s first World Heritage City in 2017.

A heritage crime with cultural consequences

The Panjtan Pak urn, symbolising the five sacred figures of Islamic belief, was more than just an architectural embellishment—it was a spiritual conduit for countless devotees. Its theft was viewed not just as a criminal act, but as a symbolic blow to the city’s religious and cultural identity.

Given the gravity of the offence, a dedicated team of the Crime Branch was assigned to the case. Officers scanned extensive CCTV footage, conducted drone surveys of nearby water bodies and vacant land, and tapped into local intelligence networks. Their efforts revealed that the perpetrators were residents of Kadi in Mehsana district.

Acting on a tip-off that the stolen artefact was being prepared for sale, the Crime Branch launched an operation. Four individuals were arrested before they could dispose of the metal.

During interrogation, the accused reportedly confessed that they believed the urn was made of gold. However, upon attempting to melt the artefact, they discovered it was not. In a further bid to avoid suspicion, the urn was broken into pieces, and the accused approached a scrap dealer to explore a sale. Before the transaction could be completed, the Crime Branch intercepted and arrested the culprits from Kadi.

Arrested accused—

1. Sureshbhai Dharamshibhai Dantani (40) – Labourer, resident of Kadi, native of Patan district

2. Gopalbhai Dharmshibhai Dantani (30) – Labourer, resident of Kadi, native of Patan

3. Munnabhai Jayantibhai Dantani (23) – Labourer, resident of Chhaparama, native of Patan

4. Vishnubhai Chunabhai Dantani – Labourer, resident of Jotana, native of Patan

All four have prior criminal records, including offences such as theft, trespassing, and violations under the Gujarat Prohibition Act.

Manhunt underway for remaining accused

Four additional individuals named during the investigation remain absconding:

1. Dinesh Dharmshibhai Dantani– Kadi, native of Peperana, Patan

2. Kishorebhai Somabhai Dantani – Mehmedabad, Kheda district

3. Jaliben Somabhai Dantani– Mehsana

4. Dasu Dattani– Patan

“This is not just a case of theft. It was an attack on the religious and cultural heritage of Ahmedabad,” a senior Crime Branch senior official said. “The team acted with great sensitivity and professionalism to ensure the recovery of an artefact that holds immense historical and emotional value for the city.”

The recovered urn will be returned to Sarkhej Rojafollowing forensic verification and completion of legal formalities, under the supervision of the ASI.

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Copper-brass urn stolen from historic Sarkhej Roja dargah dome