Burglar hides in temple overnight, arrested

Madurai: A burglar who spent the night in the Thiruparankundram temple on Friday and tried to break the temple hundi, located opposite the Shanmugar Sanidhi, was arrested by police on Saturday night. The suspect, identified as K Manikandan, 45, from Nellaiyarpuram in Thirunagar, was found in possession of Rs 18,000.According to police, Manikandan entered the temple on Friday night with the intention of breaking the hundi. He chose a hiding spot behind a pillar near the Sannidhi, planning to execute his act after 9.30 pm, once all the priests and staff had left the temple. However, unable to break the hundi entirely, Manikandan resorted to lifting some money using a thread.Upon opening the temple gates early on Saturday, temple superintendent Sathya Seelan noticed a man hastily leaving the Sannidhi. He alerted the temple staff, who apprehended Manikandan before he could escape with the stolen money. Subsequently, Manikandan was handed over to police.During interrogation, Manikandan admitted to attempting the theft of cash and jewellry from the temple, citing poverty as the motive.