Rajkot: a dream turned into a nightmare for a group of 10 illegal treasure hunters who started a four-night excavation job in an ancient Shiv temple located in the isolated Jamvadi area in Surendrangar after one of them dreamed about treasure under the temple below Temple.
Surendrangar police arrested five of them on Saturday.
The police knew on July 28 that a temple, a monument protected by the State Archaeological Department, was illegally excavated and Linga Shiv and the statue of Nandi was destroyed.
This temple is believed to be 1,100 years old.
However, the police found the task of finding out the accused of challenging because the location was isolated in the place and the lack of witnesses nearby or CCTV.
The police used human intelligence by activating their source network and managed to hold Ramesh Pipaliya, Gordhan Zapadiya, Raju Koladra, Dalsukh Makwana and Mehul Magvaniya from Chotila Town.
The accusation revealed that other defendants, Ajit Panchala, dreamed about several hidden treasures under the temple and hence, 10 of them reached the temple on foot.
One of the accused, Keep Raval, who brought some electronic equipment, excited after starting buzzing near Linga Shiv.
They began digging in place for almost four hours but only found large stones and no hidden wealth.
They continued this exercise for four nights but after not finding anything, dropping the project.
Police are hunting for five accused other.