After they had nightmares, a group of robbers returned 14 stolen ‘ashtadhatu’ idols to the ancient Balaji temple.

Robbers claimed that they were having nightmares after committing the crime, police said.

“16 ashtadhatu idols worth several crores were stolen from the ancient Balaji temple at Taraunha on May 9. Mahant Rambalak lodged an FIR against unknown thieves in this connection,” Station House Officer of Sadar Kotwali Karvi, Rajiv Kumar Singh, said.

“Out of 16 stolen idols, 14 were found mysteriously in a sack near the residence of Mahant Rambalak,” he said, adding that the priest also found a letter with the sack in which thieves wrote that they had scary dreams at night, so because of fear they are returning the idols.

All the 14 ‘ashtadhatu’ (made up of eight metals) idols have been deposited in the Kotwali, and further action is being taken, he added.