3 weeks ago
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Following the unearthing of alleged irregularities to the tune of ₹3.40 crore successful the organisation of prasadam laddus astatine the Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple successful Rameswaram, six employees person been suspended.
During the 2023-24 fiscal year, a strategy to supply escaped laddu arsenic prasadam to devotees was introduced astatine the temple, which receives thousands of worshippers each day. However, complaints emerged alleging irregularities successful the organisation of the spiritual offering.
An enquiry was initiated by the temple Joint Commissioner Chelladurai.
The findings revealed that K. Panchamoorthi, a Junior Assistant, who served arsenic the officer-in-charge of temple prasadam production and sales, was allegedly siphoning wealth by reducing the number of escaped laddus intended for devotees and alternatively selling them astatine the counters. Further, earthy materials were purchased successful bulk from extracurricular to illegally nutrient laddus, which were past sold astatine the counters.
Between 2023 and February 2026, a full of 11,40,000 laddus were produced illegally and sold to devotees for cash, temple sources said. The accounts indicated constituent to a fraudulent merchantability amounting to ₹3.40 crore.
Following the audit, Mr. Chelladurai ordered the suspension of six employees allegedly progressive successful the fraud — Junior Assistants Panchamoorthi, Lavanya, and Ambika; summons seller Selvi; maid Sivaneswari; and cleaning unit Vikram. Additionally, 3 impermanent workers were dismissed.
