Bhubaneswar: The police have arrested two persons in connection with the Maa Bhadrakali temple hundi theft case in Odisha’s Bhadrak district.

The police arrested the burglars and recovered the stolen money within 12 hours of the crime.

The arrested have been identified as Dipun Behera and Sipun Barik of Pirhat area of Bhadrak.

The duo allegedly broke into the temple last night and decamped with money from the hundi (donation box).

The theft came to light when the priests arrived at the shrine today morning to perform the rituals.

On being informed, senior officials of the police as well as district administration, including Bhadrak SP, Additional SP, Sub-Collector and local Tahsildar, rushed to the spot and launched a probe into the theft.

The scientific team as well as a dog squad were pressed into service to crack the case. During investigation, the cops zeroed in on the two burglars, reports said.