Bulandshahr Police in Uttar Pradesh have dismantled an organised gang involved in the systematic theft of brass bells from Mandirs across the district and neighbouring regions. Seven accused have been arrested so far, and police have recovered more than 100 stolen mandir bells along with illegal weapons, exposing a well-planned criminal network operating across district boundaries.
According to officials, the key accused Taj Mohammad and Hammu were arrested late night following an encounter. Based on inputs obtained during interrogation, five more associates Sagir, Nazim, Dildar, Rajuddin and Ali were taken into custody. The arrests bring to light a coordinated operation that repeatedly targeted Mandirs in Bulandshahr, with similar thefts reported from adjoining Hathras and Aligarh districts.
Rural Superintendent of Police Tejveer Singh said that in recent weeks, multiple complaints had been received regarding the theft of brass bells from Mandirs in the Dibai circle and surrounding areas. Acting on these inputs, three special police teams were constituted under the supervision of the Circle Officer, Dibai.
“During the course of investigation and subsequent arrests, we recovered 96 brass temple bells weighing approximately 125 kilograms,” SP Singh said. “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.”
🚨 Temple Bell Theft Gang Busted in UP
Bulandshahr Police have busted an organised gang involved in stealing brass bells from temples across the region. Key accused Taj Mohammed has been arrested along with 6 others.
Police recovered around 100 stolen temple bells, exposing… pic.twitter.com/J4PD7ZdhEr
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) December 14, 2025
In addition to the stolen property, police recovered a country-made .315 bore pistol, a live cartridge, and three illegal knives from the accused. Officials said the recoveries underscore the dangerous nature of the gang and the threat it posed to public safety.
The police further revealed that all seven accused are history-sheeters with extensive criminal records. “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 indicate that the gang operated across multiple districts, exploiting poor security at religious sites, particularly during night hours. The accused allegedly carried out reconnaissance, targeted Mandirs with valuable brass bells, and transported the stolen items for melting and resale.
Police believe the recoveries represent only a part of the gang’s operations and are continuing to probe possible links to scrap dealers and wider theft networks.
All seven accused have been booked under relevant sections of the law, and further legal proceedings are underway at the Dibai police station. Authorities have assured strict action and enhanced vigilance around religious places to prevent similar incidents.
