A disturbing incident has unfolded at Jai Ambe Mata Temple in Ajmer, where a man entered the shrine, pretended to worship, and then allegedly stole temple property while the act was captured on CCTV. The episode highlights both the sanctity of the temple and the growing need for vigilance in religious spaces.
The accused entered the Jai Ambe Mata Temple, folded his hands before the murti, and then walked around the sanctum. The priest, Sunil Mishra, who had recently installed cameras after a series of thefts, was monitoring the live feed on his mobile when he noticed the man’s suspicious behaviour.
The CCTV footage shows the man first picking up the donation box placed in front of the Goddess’s murti and walking away with it, and then taking a lota (ritual water vessel) used for worship, slipping it into his pocket as he tried to leave the temple.
The moment the priest spotted the theft live on camera, he alerted people nearby, and the accused was caught on the spot before he could escape. He was later handed over to Ramganj police station, where officers have taken him into custody and are interrogating him.
The man reportedly gave conflicting statements about his residence, alternately claiming to be from Nagra and from Dhaulabhata, and police are now trying to verify his identity and any prior links to similar crimes.
The incident has reignited concerns among devotees and temple authorities about the targeting of temples during regular darshan hours, and underscored the role that CCTV and vigilant staff can play in catching offenders in the act and upholding the dignity of the sacred space.
