An accused involved in the Bihar temple theft case sustained a gunshot wound during a police encounter and was apprehended on Saturday. The stolen crown of the Thawe Bhawani Temple in Gopalganj, Bihar, was recovered from the accused. Gopalganj Superintendent of Police Awadhesh Dixit mentioned that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) received intelligence about a member of the Deepak Rai gang, linked to the temple theft, being present in Gopalganj with the stolen jewels.
During a raid near Riki Tola in the Thawe police station area, the accused fired at the police team, prompting a self-defensive response from the officers. The accused, identified as Ismail Alam, was shot in the leg during the encounter and was subsequently taken into custody for medical attention. Alam, originally from the Ghazipur–Motihari region and residing in the Shahpur police station area, confessed to his role in the theft during police interrogation.
Police recovered significant parts of the stolen crown, a mobile phone used in the crime, and other evidence from the scene. SP Awadhesh Dixit revealed that Alam divulged details about the gang’s operations, accomplices, and the whereabouts of the stolen jewelry. CCTV footage confirmed Alam’s presence with gang leader Deepak Rai during the theft at the temple. Authorities are now conducting ongoing raids to apprehend the remaining suspects, expressing optimism about resolving the entire theft case swiftly.
