The hundi had not been opened in the last few months owing to the COVID-19-induced lockdown. Sources estimate the collection in it to be more than Rs 1 lakh. Apparently, the temple management opens the hundi in April every year. Due to the lockdown, they were planning to open the Hundi in April 2021.

The temple priest, however, noticed the theft in the morning and alerted the police.

Officers examined the CCTV footage from the area which showed two burglars breaking open the lock to enter the temple. Later, they broke the hundi open and escaped with the money.

The Adambakkam police have registered a case and further investigation is underway.