The Uttar Pradesh Police have arrested Taj Mohammad along with several other members of an organised gang accused of stealing brass bells from Hindu temples across multiple districts in the state.

The arrests followed a detailed investigation launched after repeated complaints of temple thefts were reported from Bulandshahr and surrounding areas. Police officials confirmed that more than 100 brass bells stolen from temples, along with illegal weapons, have been recovered from the accused. The recovery has revealed a well-organised criminal network that was operating beyond a single district and targeting religious places with planning and intent.

According to the police, the gang was not limited to one location. It was actively involved in thefts in Bulandshahr district and had also spread its activities to neighbouring districts such as Aligarh and Hathras. These districts had recently seen similar cases of temple bells going missing, pointing towards a coordinated pattern rather than isolated incidents. The repeated nature of the crimes raised serious concerns among both local residents and authorities, prompting focused police action.

Arrests Following a Night-Time Police Encounter

Police officials stated that two main members of the gang, Hammu and Taj Mohammad, were arrested late Thursday night on 11th December after a brief encounter with the police. The arrest came after sustained surveillance and intelligence gathering. During questioning, valuable information was obtained from the two accused, which helped the police identify and trace other members of the gang.

Based on the disclosures made during interrogation, five additional accused, Sagir, Nazim, Dildar, Rajuddin, and Ali, were arrested on Saturday, 13th December. Rural Superintendent of Police Tejveer Singh explained that the police had been receiving continuous reports of brass bell thefts from temples in recent months. In response, three special police teams were formed under the supervision of the Dibai Circle Officer to identify and apprehend those responsible.

The focused effort by these teams played a crucial role in connecting the complaints across districts and eventually dismantling the gang involved in the thefts.

Recovery of Over 96 Stolen Brass Temple Bells

Acting on the information gathered during the investigation, the police carried out raids at various locations linked to the accused. Three special teams, operating under the supervision of the Circle Officer, Dibai, were involved in the recovery process.

“During the course of investigation and subsequent arrests, we recovered 96 brass temple bells weighing approximately 125 kilograms,” SP Singh said. He further added, “We also seized a 12-kilogram brass ingot prepared by melting stolen bells, indicating that the gang was converting stolen religious property into raw material for resale.”

The recovery showed that the accused were not only stealing the bells but also melting them down to erase identification and sell the brass as raw material. Along with the stolen bells, police also recovered a country-made .315 bore pistol, one live cartridge, and three illegal knives from the accused. Officials stated that the presence of weapons highlights the serious threat posed by the gang and reflects the level of risk involved in their criminal activities.

Accused Found to Have Serious Criminal Records

Additional Superintendent of Police Rural Tejveer Singh informed that all seven accused are known criminals with long histories of offences. He stated that Dildar and Sagir have nearly two dozen criminal cases registered against each of them. Nazim, Rajuddin, and Ali Mulla are facing close to 18 cases each, involving theft and other serious crimes.

The officer explained that the gang operated in a highly organised manner and mainly targeted temples located in rural areas, where security arrangements are usually minimal. This made it easier for them to carry out thefts, particularly during night hours when temples are often unattended.

Police further revealed that all the accused are history-sheeters with extensive criminal backgrounds. “Dildar and Sagir have nearly two dozen cases registered against them, while Nazim, Rajuddin and Ali Mulla face around 18 cases each,” SP Singh stated. “This was not a one-off operation, but the work of hardened criminals.”

Investigations suggest that the gang conducted careful reconnaissance before committing the thefts. They allegedly identified temples with valuable brass bells, monitored security conditions, and then transported the stolen items to be melted and sold. The operation extended across multiple districts, showing a deliberate effort to avoid detection.

All seven accused have been booked under relevant sections of the law, and further legal proceedings are currently underway at the Dibai police station. Police authorities have assured that strict action will be taken and that security around religious places will be strengthened to prevent similar incidents in the future.