Shankhapala Temple Theft – Archak Arrested in Bengaluru
Subrahmanya: A theft of valuables worth Rs 1.90 lakh had taken place in the Shankhapala Subrahmanya temple, and Ullakulu Ullalti and Bacchanayaka daivasthanas in Yenekal village near here on Tuesday night.
As the theft came to light, Murali Venkatesh, the archak of the temple had gone missing with his family. The Subrahmanya police began a manhunt for him. When they enquired with his father-in-law, he informed them that a relative had told him that Murali and family were at his place in Bengaluru.
A police team led by Sullia circle inspector V Krishnaiah travelled overnight to Bengaluru on Thursday and arrested him there. He was brought here on Friday.
He revealed that to evade arrest, he had travelled with family to Uppinangady in the early hours of Thursday and boarded a KSRTC bus to Bengaluru. On reaching there, he had taken shelter in the relative’s house.
Murali is said to have pawned most of the jewellery stolen from the temple at finance firms and banks. It has been confirmed by the police by visiting these institutions.