4 priests from Vanabadrakaliamman Temple in Mettupalayam (Tamil Nadu) arrested

Alleged misappropriation of funds offered by the devotees

Photo Credits: Simplicity.in

Mettupalayam (Tamil Nadu) – 4 priests of the Vanabadrakaliamman Temple in Mettupalayam, Tamil Nadu were recently arrested on charges of misappropriation of funds offered by the devotees. Among the arrested accused are R Raghupati (36 years), S Thandapani (47 years), S Vishnu Kumar (33 years) and L Saravanan (54 years). Mettupalayam Police said that a temple trustee involved in the case along with them has absconded.

Based on ‘CCTV footage’, the law enforcement officials caught 4 priests taking home the donations from the offering plate of the temple. Assistant Commissioner of Tamil Nadu Hindu Charities (HR & CE) Department and Temple Executive Officer U S Kailasmoorthy said that the temple priests are obliged to deposit all the donations from the offering plate in the temple into the hundi as per the Government directives. However, the priests ignored this rule. So, they filed a petition in the Mettupalayam Magistrate’s Court against the priests.

On 14th March 2024, as directed by the Court, the Mettupalayam Police initiated action against the temple trustee Vasantham Sampath and 4 priests involved in the embezzlement. Later, on 25th April 2024, the Police arrested 4 priests. The Police are investigating further in this case.

DMK Government criticized

In this case, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin is being criticised from all quarters. His act is an example of Hindu hatred and discrimination. Eminent writer and speaker Shefali Vaidya in a ‘post’ aired on ‘X’ has alleged that the Government embezzled funds from the temple dowry while the priests receive meagre remuneration. It is customary for the priests to keep the donations offered in the aarti plate. She alleged that the State Government is interfering in this practice.