HYDERABAD: A case of theft at the revered Srisailam Mallanna temple in Nandyal district has surfaced belatedly, involving two local minors who were caught attempting to steal from a donation box inside the temple premises.
The incident occurred on 1 May, when the boys entered the temple under the pretext of darshan. While tampering with a cloth hundi using a blade to extract cash, their actions were recorded on CCTV. Temple authorities who reviewed the footage promptly intervened and apprehended the boys.
The temple Executive Officer (EO) confiscated ₹10,150 from the accused. Although the theft happened several days ago, police registered a case only recently and, following the EO’s instructions, kept the matter confidential.
Police sources revealed that the boys had been entering the temple for nearly ten days under the guise of devotees, using the opportunity to scout and exploit weak spots in the premises. In a broader investigation, authorities detained four individuals in connection with the theft, including a woman and the two minors. The juveniles have since been transferred to a juvenile home.
As the incident raises questions about internal oversight, the temple administration is reportedly preparing to suspend a senior assistant for negligence of duty. EO Srinivasa Rao is said to be taking action after receiving reports that the staff member failed to notice or prevent the repeated unauthorised access by the boys over several days.
The incident has stirred concerns over security lapses in one of the state’s most prominent pilgrimage centres.
