Policeman held for idol theft in Tiruvarur shrine

Sources said that a panchaloka Vinayakar idol went missing from Siddhi Vinayakar temple in Poongudimoolai village near Eravancherry in Tiruvarur district a few years back. The Idol Wing personnel, who were investigating the case, had arrested a person identified as Balamurugan (35) a couple of days ago.

Based on the leads given by Balamurugan, the Idol Wing arrested Ponraj (29), a policeman of Tiruthuraipoondi, on Friday night and produced him before the Additional CJM Madhava Ramanujam, who ordered him to be remanded in judicial custody till October 4.

Meanwhile, the Idol Wing police conducted a surprise inspection at a temple where the recovered idols are being kept, to check whether they are safe there.

The Pradosha Nayar idol went missing from Parvatheeswarar temple in Allithurai near Somarasampettai and it was recovered around 10 years back and the idol was kept back in the same temple. However, the officials who learnt that it was not a safer place, shifted the idol from there and kept at Muthumariamman temple in Somarasampettai .

In such a backdrop, the Idol Wing police have been conducting inspection across the state to ascertain whether the idols that were recovered are being maintained andkept safely.

As a part of the inspection, the Idol Wing team, led by ADSP Jose Thangiah, came to Muthumariamman temple in Somarasampettai and inspected the idols. They also inspected the measurements like height and weight and the genuineness of the metals in the idols.

The police then conducted an elaborate inspection and enquired with the temple priest and temple executive officer Vennila. Subsequently, they inspected the CCTV cameras, locker facility and other safety measures.