Udupi: In regard to theft case at Kollur Mookambika Temple, speedy inquiry was demanded into the recent case of gold worth crores of rupees from the temple, said Appanna Hegde, Former Head of the governing body of Kollur Mookambika Temple.

While speaking to media persons on Monday 4th April, 2016 at a Press Club of Udupi, he said that Kollur Sri Mookabika Temple is one of the famous temple in southern India. Even though the theft in the temple came into light since one month, the case was not inquired quickly and it felt pain to lot of devotees of the temple. There will be serious doubt for the devotees that the inquiry into the theft case case came to a standstill due to influential person’s pressure. Even Annmalai Superintendent of Police of Udupi district earlier said that the case has been investigated promptly. But delay in the enquiry of said case arouse doubt of speedy inquiry.

He said that there would be no doubt that the temple executive officers should be held responsible for the theft and blaming lower positions people are being held accountable. The treasury key should be with the temple executive officer who should be in charge of the gold and money that is collected and donated by the devotees, he said.

Appanna Hegde also said that the present Director Endowment AC who was in charge of the executive officials of the temple, special tahsildar, Byndoor, and DC’s office tahsildar are responsible. The issue is not taken up for inquiry that there are also artificial ornaments inside the temple in place of real original ornaments. No doubt that the authorities of the temple mislead the police and the inquiry.

There would be no proof of offerings which the devotees offered to the temple. He demanded that proper inquiry should be taken with regard to the offerings to the temple. The temple is getting huge offering in the form of ornaments which is the second in the state. Every day large number of people visit the temple from around the globe. One of the largest temples gets larger valued ornaments and cash. So, indeed for the efficient and corruption free management, government should appoint IAS, IPS, KAS or KPS officials.

He said that since eight years, the auditing of the temple was not done which is a questionable one. This will lead to the irresponsibility of the top officials.

The proper management of the temple has been necessary in order to avoid false management. The people, devotees, students and others will go further on with the protest demanding in-depth and through inquiry into the incident. We would also pursue legal action appealing for the transparent investigation, he said.

Aloor Manjunath Shetty, Ramesh Ganiga, Kishan Hegde and others were present during press meet at Udupi press club.