Sullia priest arrested in Bengaluru for theft in Temple

Mangalore Today News Network

Sullia, July 23, 2016:  : Police have arrested Murali Venkatesh, a priest of the Shakhapala Subrahmanya Temple at Ullakallu  from the house of a relative in Bengaluru on July 22, Friday  in connection with the theft of ornaments of the presiding deities of the  Temple. It is learnt, Murali had fled to Bengaluru along with his family soon after the theft.

In fact the theft came to light when the new temple committee took charge.

It has been gathered  that  recently Monappa, the GP Secretary who is also the Temple Supervisor had given the keys to an employee named Nagaraj.

Taking advantage of the same, Murali had  used the keys to steal ornaments worth Rs 1.9 lakhs.

During interrogation, the accused is learnt to have revealed to the police that he had pledged the stolen jewels to avail loans from co-operative banks and other private finance companies.