The accused has been identified as Satish, a resident of Kasaragod. According to a complaint filed by Vinod Kumar B (44), a resident of Bettampady and an office-bearer of the temple administration, the donation box kept outside the Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple in Bettampady was found missing when he visited the temple on the morning of August 25, 2026.
The temple authorities later checked CCTV footage and found that an unidentified person had allegedly picked up the donation box and fled from the spot on the night of August 24. The donation box was suspected to contain around Rs 4,500 in cash, while the value of the box itself was estimated at Rs 2,500.
Based on the complaint, Puttur Rural Police registered Crime No. 110/2026 under Section 305(e) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and launched an investigation.
As part of the investigation, a police team followed various leads and conducted inquiries at Kinnigar, Badiyadka and Adhur in Kerala. Their efforts led to the arrest of Satish in Badiyadka. Police said he was allegedly involved in inter-state theft cases.
The stolen donation box was recovered from Satish, along with the motorcycle allegedly used to commit the theft. The bike is estimated to be worth around Rs 1 lakh.
Satish was produced before a competent court, which remanded him to judicial custody. Police said a case relating to arecanut theft had already been registered against him at Badiyadka Police Station.
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