Temple priest held for stealing gold ornaments in Guntur

Pedakakani police in Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, have arrested a 26-year-old priest for allegedly stealing gold ornaments from the Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple. The accused, identified as Kondaveeti Randeep, son of Nataraju, is a resident of Pathuru village in Pedakakani mandal and had been working as a contract archaka at the temple.

According to police, Randeep was familiar with the temple's layout and had been observing the area around the sanctum. On August 18, 2026, he allegedly entered the temple and stole gold mangalsutras from the deity, hiding them. He later attempted to sell the stolen items, police said.

During the investigation, Randeep reportedly confessed to the theft and led police to the recovered ornaments. The seized property includes a gold coin chain weighing approximately 50 grams, two gold mangalsutras, and a gold chain weighing around 18 grams — totalling about 68 grams of gold.

The recovered items were identified as those stolen in the crime registered under Sections 305(d) and 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Pedakakani police station. Randeep was arrested on September 2 and is set to be produced before a court. Further investigation is underway.

Guntur North DSP Ch. Murali Krishna, Inspector T. Peda Narayana Swamy, and Sub-Inspectors Ch. Suresh and D. Ramakrishna addressed a press conference on Wednesday following the arrest.