In a shocking incident at Laxmi Vardhak Jain Derasar in the Paldi area of the city, temple authorities have lodged a complaint alleging the theft of 117.336 kg of silver, valued at ₹1.64 crore, over the period from July 27, 2023, to October 8, 2025.
According to the FIR filed by Rajesh Champaklal Shah, a long-time secretary of the temple, the temple priest, Mehul Harisingh Rathod, along with cleaning staff Kiran Wadhari and his wife Puri alias Hetal Wadhari, allegedly stole silver from the temple’s prayer room and locker.
The stolen items include nine silver “punthiyas” (decorative pieces), as well as silver bangles and earrings, totalling 117.336 kg of silver, valued at ₹1,64,11,240.
The theft came to light on October 8, 2025, when temple officials noticed that the silver bangles and decorative pieces placed in the temple’s locker and puja room were missing.
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CCTV footage revealed that the main electrical switch for the cameras had been turned off in the afternoon and then reactivated in the evening, coinciding with the alleged theft.
Further investigation indicated that Mehul Harisingh Rathod, along with Kiran Wadhari and his wife, had access to the locker keys and had made prior acquisitions, such as property in Visnagar and a Mahindra pickup vehicle, despite modest official salaries.
The FIR was officially filed on Monday against Mehul Harisingh Rathod, Kiran Wadhari, and Puri/Hetal Wadhari, booking them under Sections 305(d), 306, 54, and 316(5) of the IPC.
The police have launched an investigation into the matter and are attempting to apprehend the absconding accused. The case has sparked outrage among the Jain community, as the stolen items were dedicated for religious purposes and had been kept in the temple for decades.
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