Thief returns stolen ashtadhatu idols to Prayagraj temple after son takes ill, tenders apology

PRAYAGRAJ: A thief who stole the Ashtadhatu idols of Radha Krishna from a temple near the famous Gau Ghat ashram in Prayagraj, left them back at the temple along with a written apology.
In his apology, the thief described how his son and wife had taken seriously ill after he stole the idols and added that he was being haunted by nightmares.
He sought forgiveness for the theft from the deities and the temple priest.
Police said some local residents spotted a suspicious man leaving behind a sack near the temple on Tuesday evening. On opening it they found the idols of Radha Krishna and a letter where the thief narrated why he was returning the idols.
The idols were stolen on Sep 23.
The letter written in Hindi translated into: "I committed a sin and out of ignorance stole idols of Lord Krishna and Radha. I have been suffering from nightmares since I committed the theft and have not been able to sleep, eat, or live peacefully. Also, my son and wife became seriously ill since I committed the theft as I did it for some money."
The letter further read: "I tampered with the idol with an intention to sell it. I am fed up with the nightmares and am returning your ‘amaanat' (valuables)."
The mahant identified the stolen idols and performed puja after jalabhishek of the idols.
Nawabganj inspector Anil Kumar Mishra told TOI, "Priest of Gau Ghat Ashram temple, Mahant Swami Jairam Das Maharaj, had lodged an FIR about the theft of ashtadhatu idol of Radha Krishna against unidentified thieves," and added, "The thief had packed the idols properly in double layers while returning and left them near Gau Ghat link mark road."