Priest arrested for stealing gold ornaments from temple

Police in Pedakakani arrested a 26-year-old priest in connection with the theft of gold mangalsutras from the Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple in Pedakakani in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh and recovered around 68 grams of gold.

The accused has been identified as Kondaveeti Randeep, son of Nataraju, a resident of Pathuru village in Pedakakani mandal. He worked as a contract archaka in the temple.

Guntur North DSP Ch. Murali Krishna, Inspector T. Peda Narayana Swamy, Sub-Inspectors Ch. Suresh and D. Ramakrishna and others addressed a press conference at the police station on Wednesday after the arrest of accused Randeep.

According to the police, Randeep was familiar with the temple premises and its layout and was observing the areas around the shrine. On 18 August 2026, he allegedly entered the temple and stole the golden mangalsutras of the deity and hid them. He later allegedly tried to sell the stolen ornaments, police said.

During the investigation, the police interviewed the accused, who allegedly confessed to the theft and led the police to the gold ornaments in his possession, which led to their recovery.

The recovered property includes a gold coin chain weighing approximately 50 grams, two gold mangalsutras and a gold chain weighing approximately 18 grams. The total gold mined was approximately 68 grams.

Police said the found ornaments were identified as stolen under the offense registered under Section 305(d) and 303(2) of the IPC at Pedakakani police station.

Randeep was arrested by the police on September 2 and will be produced before the court. Further investigation is underway.

Published – 02 Sep 2026 23:44 IST