MALAPPURAM: The panchaloha idol of Konikkallil Temple has been stolen. The thief left the place with the idol after writing Minnal Murali on the wall. The incident happened at Moodepurath Muthan Temple. The Manjeri police has registered a case and an investigation has started.

The theft came to light this morning. The parikarmi who reached the land near the temple found the doors of the temple open. In a search found the panchaloha idol of the main shrine stolen. The thief also got inside the chuttambalam of the temple. Although no theft was committed here, he wrote Minnal Murali using the ghee kept for the pooja. He left the place after this.

The temple authorities said the stolen panchaloha idol is worth Rs one lakh. The gold chain inside the sanctum sanctorum is not lost. Fingerprint experts arrived and conducted an inspection. A team led by Manjeri inspector is investigating the case.