Temple Management suspends Security Guard

Srirangapatna” The historic Nimishamba Temple at Ganjam near Srirangapatna is in the news for wrong reasons. The priest and the security staff of the temple have been accused of stealing sarees donated by the devotees to the Goddess.

According to reports, the sarees were stolen at the time of Cauvery Pushkara Mela that was held at Srirangapatna last month and the incident where the sarees are being stolen have been captured by CCTV cameras installed at the temple premises.

Devotees have alleged that though the Temple Executive Officer has seen the visuals and the temple management was aware of the theft, attempts are made to bury the theft and only one security person has been suspended while the priest is being shielded.

Adding to the allegations, the CCTV visuals of the theft is missing now and devotees have said that a systematic plan was being made to save the priest.

Reports say that a member of the Temple Managing Committee has spoken about the CCTV visuals that showed the priest stealing sarees.

According to Kumar, the President of Taluk Jaya Karnataka Sangha, the Temple Management has only taken action against the security guard and has spared the priest. He has threatened that if the priest was not punished, Jaya Karnataka will lock the temple and stage protests.

Kumar said that as a proof to the theft, the security guard has been suspended while the Temple Executive Officer Nanjegowda has said that he was not aware of the involvement of the priest in the thefts. The issue will be discussed at the Temple Managing Committee meeting to be held on Nov. 23, Kumar added.