Pune: Silver Crown Recovered by Police and Restored to Deity in Talegaon Temple, Stolen Again the Same Night
Talegaon Dabhade, 13th June 2026: In an incident that has raised serious questions over temple security and police preparedness, a silver crown weighing around 1.25 kg, which had recently been recovered by the police and restored to the idol of Goddess Tuljabhavani at a temple in Talegaon Dabhade, was allegedly stolen again within hours of being reinstalled.
The crown, considered a valuable offering to the deity at the Shri Tuljabhavani Mata Temple in Maval taluka, was stolen a few days ago in a daring theft reportedly committed in the presence of the temple priest. The incident had triggered concern among devotees and residents.
Following an investigation, the Talegaon Dabhade police arrested the accused and recovered the stolen crown. On June 12, police officials ceremonially handed over the recovered silver crown to the temple authorities, and it was reinstalled on the idol amid much enthusiasm.
However, the celebrations were short-lived.
According to preliminary information, unidentified thieves entered the temple during the night and made away with the same silver crown that had been restored to the deity earlier in the day. The second theft, occurring less than 24 hours after the crown’s recovery and reinstallation, has sparked outrage among devotees and local residents.
The incident has also put the spotlight on security arrangements at the temple and prompted questions about whether adequate measures were taken after the first theft.
Police officials have launched a fresh investigation and are examining CCTV footage from the temple premises and surrounding areas. Special teams have been formed to trace the culprits and recover the stolen ornament.
The back-to-back thefts of the same crown have left devotees shocked and embarrassed local authorities, with many questioning how a recovered religious artefact could be stolen again within hours of being returned to the temple.
