A ₹25 lakh misappropriation in ₹100 darshan ticket system has come to light recently at the Tiruchendur Subramanya Swamy temple, with a temporary woman staff suspended for allegedly manipulating records using an alternate browser.

The staff has been identified as M. Menaka, 29 from Tiruchendur locality.

Over the past couple of years, the number of devotees visiting Tiruchendur temple has been steadily increasing. To manage the heavy crowds, darshan arrangements are organised in three categories, such as general darshan (free darshan), ₹100 paid darshan and a separate queue for senior citizens.

According to an official from the HR&CE Menaka was suspended last Tuesday (May 19) in connection with the alleged fraud involving ₹25 lakhs. He added, she had allegedly used an alternate browser to generate receipts that appeared in the abstract records, but not in the reprint system.

The official noted that complaints regarding discrepancies were brought to attention around 15 days ago. Following preliminary examination, action was initiated against the staff.

Adding that Menaka was a temple staff member, he said that she falls under the administrative control of temple administration and temple Thakkar has placed her under suspension.

The official further stated that Menaka had returned ₹5 lakh collected through the tickets and had submitted a written undertaking that she would return the remaining amount within a few days and would not repeat such actions.

He added that the matter has been escalated to higher authorities and steps were taken to lodge a formal complaint in connection with the case.

Sources from the police department said that a case has been registered at DCB on Friday (May 22), under sections BNS 316(2) and 318(4) and further investigations are underway.

Thoothukudi South District BJP president R. Sidhrangathan in his press statement said that the temple which serves as the identity of Thoothukudi district has been witnessing lakhs of devotees daily during summer season. In such a situation, the alleged fake receipt scam exploiting the spiritual sentiments of devotees is highly condemnable.

He questioned whether such a large-scale scam could have been carried out by a single temporary staff member, suggesting the possibility of a larger network involved.

Mr. Sidhrangathan demanded authorities to identify all those responsible for the irregularities and bring the real culprits to light through investigation.