Illegal possession of gold: Temple official suspended

Travancore Devaswom Board suspended M G Sukumaran, the administrative officer of Sree Mahadeva Temple, Chengannur, in connection with illegal holding of gold and silver, donated by devotees, on Monday.

“In the initial inquiry, the Board found that the administrative officer was illegally keeping gold and silver in the office of the temple. The board will conduct further inquiry into the incident,” Devaswom Commissioner Vasu said.

Devaswom Board Vigilance SP C P Gopakumar had confiscated about 98 sovereigns of gold kept illegally in the office of the temple on Saturday. The gold has been donated by devotees from January. The Devaswom authorities said that the administrative officer should have deposited the gold in the strong room of the Assistant Devaswom Commissioner in Aranmula. “The Devaswom Vigilance conducted a surprise check in the temple last year and found the gold and silver in the office. The board had warned to the officer at that time, but he repeated the mistake,” the authorities said.