Navi Mumbai:- A theft at the Shri Vitthal-Rukhmai Temple in Seawoods has sparked outrage and concern after ₹40,000 in cash was stolen from the temple’s donation offerings. The brazen act, captured in full on the temple’s CCTV system, shows the thief entering the premises, offering a gesture of reverence, and then discreetly slipping the donation money—and a sacred crown—into his bag.
The footage, which has since gone viral on social media, enabled temple authorities to quickly identify the culprit. A police complaint was filed, and swift action by the Kasturba Marg Police led to the arrest of 26-year-old Prakash Verma, a resident of Borivali. Investigators recovered the stolen cash and an additional temple crown in his possession.
The incident has raised serious concerns about the security measures in place at smaller religious sites, especially ahead of major festivals like Ashadhi Ekadashi, when footfall at temples surges significantly. In response, temple officials are calling for enhanced surveillance systems, tighter security protocols, and stronger police coordination to prevent such breaches in the future.
The swift resolution of the case, however, has reassured devotees and highlighted the effectiveness of prompt law enforcement in dealing with religious site crimes.
