Temple thief ‘Namboothiri’ well-versed in pooja rituals, theft for special joy, steals and stays alone

KOTTARAKKARA: A former priest, who steals from temples, was arrested by the Kottarakkara police. The accused has been identified as Sajith (36) of Kottayam Kumaranalloor Vadakkekkara Madam, currently residing in Kottarakkara. He was arrested in connection with thefts in temples within the Kottarakkara station limit namely Kannankode Sree Subhramanya Swami Temple, Chengamanad Kalloorkavu Sree Krishna Temple and Eranoor Sree Durga Devi Temple.

Hints about the accused were found from the CCTV footage from the temples. Fingerprints have also been identified. The accused was caught from Kottarakkara Sadanandapuram Asramam area after an investigation conducted inside and outside of the district. Sajith had been arrested earlier in connection with thefts in Pooyapally Karingannoor Temple, Kottarakkara Thechiyodu Temple and Puthoor Thiru Adishamangalam Temple. He was released on March 30 and soon became active in robberies again.

The accused was arrested by a team led by Kottarakkara CI Joseph Liyon, sub inspectors Deepu, G Rajeev and K Johnson. Sajith was produced before the court and was remanded.

Eight thefts in 40 days

Recently, Sajith had conducted eight thefts within 40 days, stealing Rs 1 lakh and gold coins. Sajith was first caught for theft while he had been a priest at Pothencode Temple. It was from there that he got the nickname ‘Namboothiri’.

Theft for joy

Sajith, who was born in a famous Namboothiri family, had turned to robbery for the joy in it. He was addicted to alcohol, movies and engaged in unethical activities.

He became a temple priest after studying till tenth grade. He had been staying away from his home for a long time. After being caught for his first theft in 2016, he served a jail term of two years and continued thefts after release.

Sajith was again nabbed in 2018. He does not seek bail and remains actively involved in cooking and other works in prison. He gets out only after finishing his sentence term. He does not use mobile phones and never stays in the same place for a long time.

His method is to travel around different places and reach the same place within days. He steals only from temples. After his release from jail on March 30, he stayed in a shed on an acre of forested land of Sadanandapuram Asramam.

Meanwhile, he travelled on bus to various places, including Nagercoil and Thiruvananthapuram. He steals alone without any aide’s help. He sells gold coins at cheap prices. His family members have kept their distance on learning about Sajith’s behaviour.