Cash Theft During Rice Collection at Sabarimala; ₹3.79 Lakh Sent Home, Five Daily Wage Workers Likely to Be Arrested
Pathanamthitta: Arrests are expected soon in a case involving the alleged theft of money from offerings made by devotees at Sabarimala. Five temporary workers have been identified for reportedly stealing cash that fell along with rice offerings and sending it to their homes through the Sannidhanam post office. The incident is said to have taken place during the last Mandala season.
The Devaswom Vigilance initiated an inquiry after detecting unusually large amounts of money being sent home through the post office. Based on its report, the Pamba police registered a case.
The accused have been identified as R. Pradeep from Choorakkode in Adoor, Bijukumar from Vithura in Thiruvananthapuram, S. Baiju from Neduvathoor in Kollam, and R. Ajimon and Arun Krishnan from Karavaloor in Punalur. They have been listed as the first to fifth accused. Officials indicated that more individuals could be involved.
Temporary workers at Sabarimala receive a daily wage of ₹650, which is typically credited to their accounts in a lump sum after the Makaravilakku season. This discrepancy raised suspicion among vigilance officials and the police, as the money sent home did not match their legitimate earnings.
The Vigilance team examined records from the Sannidhanam post office and branches of two banks to track those who sent money. Upon questioning individuals with suspicious transactions, the five accused reportedly confessed to stealing money while collecting rice offerings. The case was subsequently handed over to the police.
Investigations are ongoing, and officials believe more people involved in similar thefts may be identified. The five accused together allegedly sent ₹3.79 lakh.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), R. Pradeep sent ₹1.38 lakh, Bijukumar ₹1.07 lakh, S. Baiju ₹52,700, R. Ajikumar ₹47,400, and Arun Krishnan ₹27,910.
The preliminary probe began following information received by Sabarimala Executive Officer O.G. Biju. Postal employees at Sannidhanam had reported that currency notes stained with turmeric and vermilion were being sent home by certain individuals, prompting suspicion.
Based on the Vigilance findings, Sabarimala Special Commissioner R. Jayakrishnan also submitted a report to the Kerala High Court.