Rameswaram police have arrested a woman for stealing money from the hundi of Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple while counting the devotee offerings.
Police said counting of devotee offerings from the hundis at Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple commenced on Monday morning and continued until night. The process took place at the temple mandapam under the leadership of Joint Commissioner Chelladurai.
Donations from the hundis of the Swami, Amman, and other deity shrines, as well as sub-temples, were counted, they added.
According to the temple administration, the collection totalled ₹2,31,56,985 in cash, 35 grams of gold, and seven kg of silver.
Over 200 people, including officials from Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department, temple administration staff, bank employees, and volunteer devotees, participated in the counting process. The entire operation was monitored via CCTV cameras.
Among the volunteers was Prabhavathi, 40, a resident of Thuraiyur in Tiruchi. As the temple staff grew suspicious of her behaviour during the counting process and took her to the temple office for an investigation.
Upon searching her, it was discovered that she had hidden ₹1 lakh from the hundi offerings.
Following a complaint filed by Joint Commissioner Chelladurai at the Rameswaram police station, Prabhavathi was arrested.
This incident has caused a great shock among devotees, especially following a similar occurrence last month. During the previous hundi counting, a man named Manikandan was found to have stolen ₹22,000. While a case was registered against him and he remains at large, this second incident involving a volunteer stealing a much larger sum has raised significant concerns regarding security.
Published – February 03, 2026 06:59 pm IST
