KATHMANDU: Police recently arrested three persons for their alleged involvement in theft of various gold-plated sculptures from a Buddha temple of Patan around a month ago.

The trio among others had broke into the temple at Naudobahal, Lalitpur-12 on July 25 night and made off with the idols as old as around 400 years and other jewellery, police said.

The arrested suspects include Man Bahadur Magar (53) from Gaunsara-4 of Ramechhap, Ganesh Bahadur Shrestha (36) from Bhimkhori-3 of Kavre and Basudev KC (46) from Lankuridanda-4 of Dolakha.

Meanwhile, police said they recovered the stolen sculptures and ornaments kept in a bag on a roadside near the temple.

Police have continued the investigation while searching for other suspects involved in the case.