Assam: Gold and cash worth Rs 8 lakh stolen from Hanuman Garhi Mandir in Dibrugarh

A CORRESPONDENT

DIBRUGARH: Gold and silver ornaments, along with cash worth approximately Rs 8 lakh, have been reportedly stolen from Hanuman Garhi Mandir situated at AT Road in North Amolapatty, Dibrugarh.

The Mahant of the temple Chandrama Das has lodged an FIR at Amolapatty Police Outpost, alleging that the theft was committed by Sandeep Bhagat, who had been entrusted with the temple’s affairs in his absence.

According to the FIR, Mahant Chandrama Das left for Buxar on November 19, 2024, leaving the keys to the locker (Tijori) and almirah with Sandeep Bhagat, a resident of Muzaffarpur, Bihar. Upon his return to Dibrugarh on March 13, he sent Sandeep Bhagat to Banipur Railway Station the next morning to drop off a co-driver. However, when Bhagat failed to return by 10 AM, the Mahant and temple staff searched for him but found no trace. His mobile phone was also switched off. Suspicions deepened when the Mahant opened the Tijori with a spare key on March 14, only to discover that all the temple’s gold and silver ornaments, along with Rs 8 lakh in cash, were missing.

The stolen items include gold ornaments, 2 mukuts, 4 kundals, 6 neck chains, 1 pair of jhumkas, 1 nathani, 450 silver coins, 2 silver glasses, and approximately Rs 8 lakh in cash. As per the FIR, further inquiries revealed that Sandeep Bhagat, along with his wife, had visited Bihar twice during the Mahant’s absence, raising strong suspicion that they may have stolen the valuables. The Mahant stated that the delay in lodging the FIR was due to his personal efforts to trace Sandeep Bhagat and the mental distress caused by the incident. He has urged the police to take immediate legal action to recover the stolen temple assets and apprehend the accused.

Following the complaint, the police have registered a case under Dibrugarh PS Case No. 111/2025, dated 17.03.2025, and launched an investigation into the matter.

Also Read: Assam: Residents of Maibang reiterate their demand for foot overbridge

Also Watch: