'Made a huge mistake': Thief returns stolen idols to UP temple after family falls ill

The stolen idols were made of eight metals. (Representational image: Unsplash)

A man who stole idols of Lord Krishna and Radha from a temple in Uttar Pradesh a week ago has recently returned them with an apology note addressed to the priest. In it, the thief confessed to the crime and said that ever since the theft, he has not been troubled by nightmares and his wife and child have fallen seriously ill, Times of India reported.

The incident happened on October 1 when locals saw a man running away after dropping off a sack outside the Gau Ghat ashram temple in Prayagraj. On inspecting the bag, when they found the idols and the letter, they called the police.

"Maharaj ji greetings, I made a huge mistake and unwittingly stole the idols of Lord Krishna and Radha," the thief wrote in the letter. "I have been suffering from nightmares since I committed the theft and have not been able to sleep, eat, and live peacefully. Also, my wife and son have fallen seriously ill since then. I stole the idols because I wanted to sell them and make some money. But I am fed up of the scary dreams and am returning your valuables to you."

Apart from apologising to the priest, he also asked for forgiveness from the deities and requested the priest to place them inside the temple again.

According to the police, the theft had taken place on September 23.

"The thief packed the idols in double layers while returning and leaving it near Gau Ghat Link Mark Road so that it's better protected," Nawabgunj inspector Anil Kumar Mishra told the Times of India. An FIR has been registered.