Aurangabad:
Seven persons suspected to be involved in the theft of the golden idol of Lord Ganesh from a temple in Diveagar village in Maharashtra's Raigad district were on Saturday arrested from Gangapur town, police said.
The sketches of some of the suspects have matched with the ones released earlier, they said, adding that the gang was apprehended from Pokhara locality.
Police recovered axes, chili powder and knives from the possession of Akash Kale, Babu Kale, Mohan Kale, Sheru Pimple, Raju Pimple, Jigar alias Vijay Pimple and Ganesh Pimple - all in their 20's.
The suspects had allegedly killed a security guard while committing the robbery at the temple last month.
The issue had rocked the Legislative Assembly with the Speaker suspending 14 MLAs, 13 of Shiv Sena and 1 of BJP, for performing 'aarti' on floor of the House to highlight the theft. The suspension was recently revoked.
Owing to the sensitivity of the issue, the Crime Branch of Mumbai police is also conducting parallel investigations along with Raigad police into the matter.