- By Yashashvi Tak
- Tue, 11 Nov 2025 04:18 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
At least two watchmen were killed early Tuesday morning at a temple run by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department near Rajapalayam in Virudhunagar district, Tamil Nadu. Police suspect the murders were connected to a theft from the temple’s hundi (offertory box), with cash reportedly stolen during the attack.
Two night guards at the Nachadai Thavirthu Aruliaswamy Temple, overseen by the HR&CE Department, were found dead on Tuesday morning. The deceased have been identified as Pechimuthu, 60, and Sankar Pandian, 50. Their colleague, Madasamy, who had completed the day shift, discovered the bodies around 6:00 AM.
Authorities reported that Madasamy noticed a smaller gate at the temple’s main entrance left open. Upon entering, he saw both guards lying in pools of blood with severe injuries. The temple’s hundi appeared to have been tampered with, suggesting a robbery attempt.
Temple officials and police were immediately informed, and senior officers arrived at the scene to initiate an investigation. Forensic teams, along with sniffer dogs, were deployed to gather evidence, while CCTV footage from the temple is being reviewed to trace the suspects.
The situation outside the temple was tense as relatives of the victims demanded that the culprits be apprehended before the bodies were released. The bodies were subsequently taken to the government hospital for postmortem examination.
A senior officer told NDTV, "It's a clear case of murder and robbery breaking open the temple collection box. We would nab the culprits soon. We believe the guards resisted, and there was a skirmish."
(With PTI Inputs)
