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Drug-addicted Hindu priest arrested for stealing gold from temple till in Jaffna
Text and Pic by Dinasena Rathugamage
Jaffna Urkavathuari police apprehended a drug-addicted Poosari (Hindu priest) on Wednesday for stealing four gold sovereigns from the temple’s till, which he managed, to fund his heroin addiction.
The Poosari had pledged the four gold sovereigns at a pawnbroker to obtain money to pay his heroin dealer, confirmed the police. Additionally, the Poosari provided the receipt issued by the pawnshop.
Upon arrest, the suspect was under the influence of heroin and was promptly taken to Urkavathurai hospital for medical treatment, as stated by the police. The suspect is scheduled to appear before the Urkavathurai Magistrate, according to authorities.
Police reported this as the second incident involving a Poosari pilfering money from the temple’s till within a week in Jaffna. Earlier, another Poosari was apprehended for forcibly entering the temple’s till, selling a gold receptacle, and some jewelry donated by devotees to the Kovil. This suspect was remanded after a court appearance, the police disclosed.