Woman loses Laddu Gopal idol in Gwalior market:Refuses FIR to avoid legal process, offers reward to find mother’s cherished memory

A woman in Gwalior has approached the police for help in tracing a missing Laddu Gopal idol but has requested that no formal complaint be registered, saying she does not want the idol to be drawn into legal proceedings. The incident dates back to January 29 in the Alkapuri area. The woman, identified as Vijaya Sharma, said she lost the idol while shopping in a local market. After searching for nearly two months without success, she announced a reward on March 18 for anyone who finds and returns it. The reward amount has not been disclosed. Sharma told the police that she had gone shopping with her sister on the day of the incident and had carried the idol with her. She believes it fell somewhere in the market during the visit. ‘A memory of my mother, not just an idol’ Sharma said the idol holds deep emotional value for her. “This is not just a religious idol, but a cherished memory of my mother,” she said. According to her, the idol was given to her by her mother around 30 years ago. Her mother passed away five years ago, after which the idol became her most personal keepsake. “I feel deeply saddened that I could not protect my mother’s last memento,” Sharma said. She added that she searched the market and nearby areas for several days on her own before approaching the police for assistance. Police assisting in search Vijaya Sharma said she kept the small, one-size Laddu Gopal idol in a palanquin and is now searching for it in the area. She has been showing photographs of the idol to people and appealing for help. “If anyone finds the idol or has any information, please help return it,” she said. CSP Manish Yadav said locating the idol is difficult in such cases, but police are trying to gather information from the surrounding areas. Sharma has also offered a suitable reward to anyone who helps trace the idol.