Mumbai: The Khar police have booked two silversmiths for allegedly embezzling 91 kg of pure silver worth Rs 45.5 lakh, which belongs to the Laxminarayan temple located on 18th Road in Khar West.
Temple trustee Anju Matai, 62, has lodged a complaint against artisans Alpesh Mistry, 40, and Sameer Mistry, 42. The duo had taken the silver in March 2023 to create designs on the temple’s furniture and doors, but didn’t return the asset till date.
According to the FIR, Alpesh and Sameer, both residents of Malad West, had been working on silver engraving for the temple’s wooden furniture and other structures for more than a decade. Matai said that he reposed faith in them due to their longstanding association with the temple authorities.
In March 2023, the duo was handed the silver for designing the temple’s walls and doors. They had assured that the precious metal would be returned after completing the work within three to four months, said Matai. However, when they didn’t keep their promise, the trustees started to make inquiries, but they kept giving evasive replies.
Eventually, they stopped answering phone calls, alleged Matai, adding that the trustees approached the police when the duo didn’t return the silver after a long time. They have been booked for criminal breach of trust.
