Thieves return stolen idols to Hindu temple after 'nightmares'

A group of thieves have returned a collection of stolen idols to a temple in India, along with a letter claiming they had suffered "nightmares" since the theft.

The 16 idols were stolen from a 300-year-old temple to Lord Balaji, an aspect of the god Vishnu, in the Chitrakoort district of the state of Uttar Pradesh, on May 9.

Police launched an investigation, but before any thieves were arrested, a bag holding 14 of the 16 idols was returned anonymously to the temple, the Times of India reported.

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With them was a letter, purportedly from the thieves, pleading for forgiveness for the crime.

"We have been suffering from nightmares since we committed the theft and have not been able to eat, live, or sleep peacefully," the letter read.

"We are fed up with the scary dreams and are returning your valuables."

The idols included ones made of copper and brass, as well as a number of silver ornaments.

Police are continuing their hunt for the thieves.