A videographer was detained by the police for allegedly stealing money from the hundi at the famous Chennakeshava Temple in Belur in Karnataka during the counting of donations collected from the hundi. The incident, which took place during the official counting of temple offerings, has raised serious doubts about security measures and possible involvement of insiders.
The accused allegedly stole ₹1.98 lakh when recording the hundi counting process, the police said. Now not only is the police investigating the alleged theft but also whether any temple officials or staff member took part in the crime.
Tahsildar Sridhar Kankanawadi went to the temple after receiving a report from the police and visited the place to check the site and investigate the truth behind the incident. The theft took place according to the Tahsildar and said the accused tried to hide his identity by covering himself with a jacket when committing the theft.
The theft has been confirmed. A tourist volunteer noticed the suspicious activity. The accused was hiding his identity in his jacket and stole around ₹1.98 lakh during the hundi counting process. The videographer has been handed over to the police, who will register an FIR and conduct a detailed investigation," he said.
He also said investigators would look at whether such incidents have happened in the past and to what extent the accused could have done it alone or with the help of others. Authorities were also investigating whether anyone in the temple administration or other officials enabled or supported the alleged theft, he said.
"We work on trust during such religious and administrative activities. It is disappointing that such an incident has occurred. The investigation will reveal why the theft took place and if anyone else was involved,” the Tahsildar said.
The detained videographer is identified as Neelakantha, a hundi counting crew member who was hired to document the hundi counting. The person who was responsible for documenting the process now finds himself accused of stealing from the very collection he was assigned to film.
The theft came to light when a police constable in the temple observed the accused's suspicious behavior. The constable immediately informed the concerned authorities and the videographer was detained before he could escape with the money.
Some local residents have expressed anger, questioning whether the theft could have taken place without the knowledge or involvement of temple administration officials. Similar incidents have happened in the past and they have called for a probe into the role of officials responsible for the donation counting process.
In response to these allegations, Tahsildar Sridhar Kankanawadi assured the public that the investigation would be impartial and comprehensive. Anyone who was found responsible would be punished, no matter what position they held, he said.
Police are investigating the full extent of the theft, any culprits, and making arrangements for future hundi counting at the historic Chennakeshava Temple.
