Twelve rare and ancient idols stolen 42 years ago from the Gopaljee temple in Sonepur town are finally expected to return to the shrine. The hope was revived Monday after the Khurda ADJ-3 Court in Bhubaneswar delivered its judgment in the case. Judge Himanshu Mallik issued the order, triggering widespread joy across Subarnapur district.

The Gopaljee Temple, located directly opposite the Sonepur royal palace, houses Lord Gopaljee, the presiding deity of the former royal family. After India’s independence and the end of monarchy, the responsibility of the temple fell on the government.

In 1982, 12 valuable idols — including those of Radha, Gopaljee, Garuda and nine other associated deities — were stolen from the temple. The same year, the CBI arrested the thieves at the Delhi airport. The

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