Sri Vijaya Puram, July 11: A theft at Sri Gogula Krishnan Temple in Biggi Line, where an unidentified person allegedly broke open the temple’s donation box and stole around ₹10,000 in cash, was solved within two hours after police traced and arrested the accused using CCTV footage, according to officials.
The incident came to light after M. Govindan, President of Sri Gogula Krishnan Temple, lodged a complaint alleging that the accused trespassed into the temple premises in the early hours of July 8, 2026, at around 1.30 a.m. He alleged that the individual broke open the temple hundi (donation box) and fled with approximately ₹10,000 kept inside.
According to the complaint, the entire incident was captured by the temple’s CCTV surveillance system. Based on the available footage, Govindan requested the police to register a First Information Report (FIR) against the unidentified person and initiate legal action.
Following the complaint, Aberdeen Police launched an investigation into the case. A police team comprising Head Constable Mohd. Rafique, Police Constables Jagdish Babu, R. Deepak and Sandeep Kerketta, under the supervision of Inspector Vijay Kumar, Station House Officer of Aberdeen Police Station, began examining the CCTV footage and other available evidence.
Police said the accused was traced within two hours of the complaint being received. During the operation, the investigating team also recovered the cash allegedly stolen from the temple donation box.
The accused was subsequently taken into custody, while legal proceedings were initiated in connection with the case. Police have not disclosed further details regarding the identity of the accused or the charges invoked.
The theft occurred inside one of the city’s places of worship, raising concerns over the security of religious institutions and the safeguarding of public donations. The case also highlights the role of CCTV surveillance in aiding investigations into property-related offences.
Authorities said the investigation was conducted based on the complaint and the evidence available, including the CCTV footage recorded inside the temple premises. The recovered cash has been seized as part of the investigation.
Further legal proceedings in the case are underway.
