In a shocking incident, a video recorded during the counting of ‘hundi’ collection at a famous temple in the district allegedly revealed that an official pocketed over Rs.1 lakh.
According to a reliable source in the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, the hundi collection at Sri Saduragiri Sundara Mahalingam Temple was counted by the department staff on August 21. As per the department’s directive, the entire counting process has to be videographed. An employee engaged in the counting later complained to the higher-ups that an official embezzled the money.
The officials conducted an inquiry and examined the video clipping which allegedly revealed that an official took a bundle of 1,000 rupee notes and another of 500 rupee notes from the ‘hundi’ collection even as the counting was in progress.
Based on the complaint, an inquiry had been ordered, the source said. When contacted, Joint Commissioner (HR & CE) Muthu Thiagarajan said, “An inquiry ordered by the Commissioner is under way. We will be able to ascertain the facts only on completion of the probe.”
A large number of devotees assemble at the temple, situated near Perayur here, during Ammavasai as part of fulfilling their vows.
