Minister S Ramesh's surprise temple visit exposes bribery in VIP darshan at Tiruchendur temple

CHENNAI: A surprise inspection by State Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) S Ramesh at the famed Tiruchendur Subramanya Swamy Temple on Friday allegedly exposed a bribery network linked to VIP darshan and temple services, prompting immediate disciplinary action against priests and staff.

Acting on repeated complaints that devotees were being charged unofficially for expedited darshan, the minister arrived at the temple disguised as an ordinary devotee, wearing a mask and casual attire, without alerting local officials. Accompanied only by an aide, he sought to verify allegations that money was being collected for preferential access to the shrine.

According to sources, priests allegedly offered VIP darshan in exchange for Rs 4,000 for four persons. The amount was transferred digitally (through G-Pay) to a priest's account, following which the minister revealed his identity and confronted those involved. The transaction allegedly provided direct evidence of unauthorised collections within the temple premises.

The minister subsequently summoned the individuals concerned and sought written explanations. He also inspected the temple's annadhanam scheme, administrative procedures, assets and revenue management, while interacting with devotees on their experience at the shrine.

Speaking to reporters later, Ramesh dismissed reports that those involved had submitted apology letters. "We have sought explanations, not apologies. The inspection covered annadhanam, temple properties and administrative practices. Once the inquiry is completed, action will be taken against anyone found guilty, without any discrimination," he said.

Within hours of the inspection, the temple administration relieved two security personnel, K Karuppasamy and A Thoppu, both ex-servicemen, from duty for allegedly accepting bribes from devotees. Priest Aiyappan was barred from performing poojas for allegedly collecting money for archanais, while P Shankar and V Nagaraj were suspended from duties related to the temple's free tonsuring facility over similar complaints.