Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Puttur Temple Panel Alleges Irregularities, Seeks Management Committee Suspension
A temple protection group says there may have been money and management problems at a temple in Puttur.
It alleges that more than ₹40 lakh was withdrawn without the required approvals.
The group also says ₹3,00,248 was taken through a self-drawn transaction.
It raised concerns about how gold ornaments, trees, building materials, and festival donations were handled.
The group says some temple work was given out without public tenders.
It accused Management Committee President Panjigudde Ishwara Bhat and MLA Ashok Kumar Rai of interference.
These are allegations made by the group, not established findings in the reports.
The group wants an investigation and the committee suspended.
It says devotees will hold a protest on September 21 if action is not taken within a week.
The Temple Protection Committee alleged financial irregularities, Muzrai rule violations, and political interference at Sri Mahalingeshwar Temple in Puttur.
It said ₹3,00,248 was self-drawn from temple accounts and more than ₹40.03 lakh was withdrawn between January 2025 and May 2026 without proper clearances.
The committee alleged that temple ornaments were not annually weighed and certified, while timber trees on 15 acres in Tenkila were felled without required permissions or valuation.
It claimed building works lacked public tenders and PWD valuations, and old materials were auctioned for ₹45,000 and ₹52,000 without proper inventory records.
The Samithi sought an SIT audit, suspension of the Management Committee, and dismissal of the Executive Officer, warning of a September 21 protest.
- Who
- The Temple Protection Committee, also called the Devasthana Samrakshana Samithi, made allegations against the Sri Mahalingeshwar Temple Management Committee, naming President Panjigudde Ishwara Bhat and MLA Ashok Kumar Rai.
- What
- The committee alleged financial irregularities, violations of Muzrai Department norms, unauthorized transactions, improper asset handling, and administrative interference.
- When
- The alleged withdrawals occurred between January 2025 and May 2026; the allegations were presented at a press conference on Monday, with a proposed protest on September 21.
- Where
- Sri Mahalingeshwar Temple in Puttur, including temple land in Tenkila.
- Why
- The committee wants the accounts audited and administrative action taken over alleged financial and procedural violations.
- Alleged withdrawals
- More than ₹40.03 lakh was allegedly withdrawn for minor expenses and repair works between January 2025 and May 2026.
- Self-drawn transaction
- The committee alleged that ₹3,00,248 was self-drawn from temple accounts.
- Ornament procedures
- The committee alleged that gold ornaments were recorded using estimated values instead of annual official weighing and certification.
- Tree felling
- Teak, jackfruit, and benga trees across 15 acres of temple land in Tenkila were allegedly felled without required permissions or Forest Department valuation.
- Material auctions
- Old building materials were allegedly auctioned for ₹45,000 and ₹52,000 without proper inventory tracking.
- Requested action
- The Samithi sought an SIT audit, suspension of the Management Committee, and dismissal of the Executive Officer.
- Proposed protest
- The committee said devotees would gather at the temple grounds on September 21 if corrective steps were not taken within a week.
