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The Chief Judicial Magistrate, Indore has pronounced judgement
in the sensational Sri Golakot Jain Temple theft case convicting
and awarding
two years RI and fine to six persons. Confirming the validity
of charges levelled by CBI, the court not only upheld the
findings of CBI
investigation but it also held all the accused persons guilty
of offences related to criminal conspiracy leading to theft
of 32 heads of idol from
the temple in the nightt of 24/25 April, 1998. Accordingly,
the conviction order for rigorous imprisonment for two years
along with a fine of Rs.
2000/- each, have been passed by the court against accused
Babulal, Makhan, Ramesh, Ramdayal, Ramswaroop and Sudhir Pathak
u/s 120-B, r/w 380,457 & 295 IPC.
This case was registered by CBI after a request received from
Govt. of Madhya Pradesh on 10.6.98 which revealed the dissection
and theft of 32
heads of idol of Jain Tirthankaras and Parikar from Sri Golakot
Jain Temple located at Tehsil Pichhore, Distt. Shivpuri, Madhya
Pradesh. The
State Govt. came under tremendous pressure from Jain Samaj
and public in general, as the incidence evoked a wide protest
in the State of Madhya
Pradesh. The investigation of the case was entrusted to the
Specialized Unit of CBI which deals with the matters concerning
Antiquities and Art
Treasures Act. Being a blind case, the CBI team had to struggle
hard which even went to the extent of penetrating into the
gangs of antique thieves,
smugglers and underworld mafia operating in various parts
of the country. After sustained efforts for several months,
the CBI team made a
breakthrough and ultimately located the main accused of the
case called Babulal who was the kingpin of the gang behind
the crime and who was found
to be operating in the district of Mourena, Shivpuri, Shivpur
Kalans. After the arrest of Babula on 17.9.1998, the CBI team
also recovered all
the 32 heads of stolen idols from location which was about
4 to 5 Kms from Sri Golakot Temple. The implements and the
tools used by the gang were
also recovered and could be linked with the accused with the
help of forensic examination done by the scientists from Central
Forensic Science
Laboratory, Delhi.
As one of the accused, Shivlal turned approver, the court
granted pardon to him and all the accused except Sudhir Pathak
have been sent to Jail.
Since Sudhir Pathak deposited the amount of fine, he has been
released on interim bail by the court. The court has also
ordered to return the heads
of Jain Idol to Sri Golakot Temple Authorities, Distt. Shivpuri.
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