Trichy: The Idol Wing Cid Police on Thursday arrested two priests for stealing the silver cover (vellipadichattam) from a paranquin which was intended to bring the gods of the PARIMALANATATHAR temple in the Mayiladuthurai district.
The arrest has been identified as R of Srinivasa Renga Battar, 58, and V Muralidhara Dhikshithar, 58.
The duo peeled the silver cover in 2014.
The Wing Idol police team consisting of additional supervisors of the police (ASP) R Rajaram and others arrested the defendant after Chennai Resident Venkatraman filed a petition with respect to theft.
The two priests tried to make a new ‘vellipadicattam’ to replace the old one.
Silver items weighing 15 kg were confiscated from the AKC Sri Kamatchi jewelry store in Mayiladuthurai where newly made based on orders from the defendant.
The total weight and value of antique velipadicattam cannot be ascertained, police said.
In 2014, Vellipadichattam was found missing from the temple.
Someone from the Endowmen of Religion and Hindu Amal (HR & CE) – managed temples submitted a complaint with the Mayiladuthurai police.
However, a registered case or investigation is carried out on complaints.
However, this problem was being brewed as a venkaraman from Chennai swept the following problems the second was accused of planning to make a new vellipadicattam to replace the old one.
Working on Vellipadicattam just started at a jewelry store in 2019, police said Wing Idola, added that the defendant had received a contribution from several people for this purpose.
Idol wings took over this case and submitted a case in February 1.
The initial investigation was turned on the involvement of Srinivasa Renga Battar in Convance with Muralidhara Dhikshithar in peeling and stealing antiques.
Police Wing Idol said they found several silver bars, melting from old vellipadicattam, used to make a new one.
Wing Idol will investigate why the police Mayiladuthurai failed to register the first information report (FIR) and pursue this case.