In a reported case of murder for gain, two night watchmen were hacked to death inside Nachadai Thavirtharuliyaswamy temple at Devadanam near Rajapalayam on Monday (November 10, 2025) night.
The deceased were identified as Petchimuthu, 55, and Sankarapandian, 60. The crime came to light when the temple, administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, was opened for morning pooja on Tuesday (November 11). Both watchmen were found lying in a pool of blood.
The police suspect that unknown persons had hacked the security personnel when they resisted their attempt to break open the temple hundial in the night. Officials said the robbers had broken open the administrative office of the temple.
The assailants also reportedly took away the digital video recorder of the CCTV camera network on the temple premises, said a police source.
The bodies of the two watchmen have been taken to the government hospital in Rajapalayam.
Published – November 11, 2025 12:53 pm IST
