Source: www.hindustantimes.com
HYDERABAD, INDIA, August 22, 2009: Police have arrested AP Venkatramana Deekshithulu, the head priest of the Sri Kodandarama Swamy temple, charging him with theft, cheating, and criminal breach of trust, after the priest disclosed on Friday that he had pawned ten pieces of the Deity’s gold and diamond jewelry in order to repay loans incurred in the marriage of his two daughters.
“Grinding poverty drove me to the brink of pledging Lord’s ornaments though I knew it was sin. I have three daughters and am in deep financial crisis. Besides, I am suffering from a lot of ailments for several years. Unable to maintain the family and meet my medical expenses, I pledged the jewels,” he said.
Although Tirumala is India’s richest temple, the priests working in the sub-temples under it live in abject poverty. They were paid less than US$41 per month.
Police have recovered the remaining items from the pawn-shop. The TTD authorities have suspended the temple inspector for dereliction of duty and plan to appoint a special officer to exclusively look after the jewels in all temples.