Priest robbed of ₹25,000, mobile phone in Jandiala

AMRITSAR: Over seven to eight unidentified men allegedly robbed a priest of ₹25,000 and a mobile phone, after holding him hostage in one of the temple’s room during the intervening night of Sunday and Monday.

The armed miscreants looted Mann Singh, 53, priest at Seeta Ram temple in Jandiala, 20 km from here.

The victim hails from Mathura district in Uttar Pradesh. The victim said, “I have been working in the temple for last three months. On Sunday night, while I was sleeping, seven to eight armed men entered the temple premises at around 1am.”

“When I opposed the accused, they held me hostage in a room and looted ₹25,000 and my mobile phone,” said the victim.

He said, “Before leaving the temple, they threatened to kill me if I went to police.”

Assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Sarabjit Singh of Jandiala police station said, “On the complaint of the priest, we have registered a case against the unidentified miscreants under Sections 458 (lurking house-trespass or house-breaking by night after preparation for hurt, assault, or wrongful restraint), 380 (theft in dwelling house, etc) and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).”

“We are examining the footage of closed circuit television (CCTV) installed near the temple to identify the accused.They will be arrested soon,” he said.