Tamil Nadu: Major heist at Thanjavur temple

Early on Tuesday morning in an ancient temple in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, thieves decamped with 316 sovereigns of jewellery. This is reportedly one of the biggest heists in a temple in recent times.

A report in The New Indian Express states that the theft came to light when the priests came to the Varadharajaperumal temple in Kaarappankadu village near Madukkur on Tuesday. The locks of the sanctum sanctorum  where the idol is kept, was broken and the police in Madukkur were then alerted. The report adds that the officials of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department were also informed of the heist. 

When the priests checked the almirah (cupboard) in the sanctum sanctorum where the jewellery was kept, they found found 2 kg and 528 gm of gold jewels (316 sovereign) missing, adds the daily. 

The Superintendent of Police, R Sudhakar also visited the temple and conducted an investigation. Aravind Menon, the Assistant Superintendent of Police, Pattukkottai, also inspected the temple. Now, forensic experts from Thanjavur have collected evidence and special teams are on the lookout for the thieves, adds the report.