A priest from Thanjavur was arrested on Wednesday for stealing and pawning temple jewellery. The suspect, Akshmanan, 36, worked at the Mariamman Temple in Keezha Veedhi.
The jewellery had been kept in a cabinet at the temple. On Tuesday, the temple committee members visited the temple to check the items before an upcoming consecration ceremony. When they asked Akshmanan to open the cabinet, he claimed that the key was missing. The committee members continued with their other tasks, but later decided to inspect the cabinet again.
To their shock, the jewellery was missing. Velventhan, a member of the temple committee, immediately reported the theft to the Thirupananthal police.
The police launched an investigation and questioned the temple monks. After initial vague responses, Akshmanan eventually confessed to stealing 7.5 sovereigns of jewellery and pawning the stolen items.
The priest was arrested and is now in police custody.
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