Police have arrested three individuals for allegedly stealing a cow that had been left as an offering at the historic Kottai Mariamman Temple in Salem and selling it to a meat shop.
According to police sources, Suman (52), an auto driver from Johnsonpet, had dedicated the bull he had raised to the goddess at the temple during last year’s Aadi Thiruvizha festival after a vow he made was fulfilled. Since then, he had been visiting the temple every two days to feed the animal.
On 4 October 2025, when Suman arrived to feed the cow, he was shocked to find it missing. Following his complaint, the Salem Town Police registered a case and began an investigation.
A special team led by Town Assistant Commissioner Harishankari reviewed CCTV footage from the temple premises, which showed three men stealing the cow. Acting on this lead, police traced the suspects to Kichipalayam and arrested them. The accused were identified as Dharmesh Moideen (26) of Kalam Nagar, Alauddin (27) of Ashok Nagar, and Salim (28) of Tippu Nagar, Ponnammapet.
குற்றவாளிகளின் பெயர்கள்,
மா பாஷா மகன் அலாவுதீன்,
கிச்சிப்பாளையத்தை சேர்ந்த மொய்தீன் மகன் தர்மேஷ் மைதீன்,
பாபு பாஷா மகன் சலீம்
இவனுங்க பெயரை போட ஊடகத்திற்கு ஏன் இவ்வளவு பயம்…? pic.twitter.com/cyIgLYNBRh
— SSR 🐘 (@SSR_Sivaraj) November 4, 2025
Preliminary inquiries revealed that the stolen cow had been sold to a local meat shop. Police are investigating whether the trio was involved in similar thefts in the area.
Meanwhile, members of the BJP’s Salem District Spirituality and Temple Development Unit lodged a formal complaint demanding strict action, alleging a broader pattern of cows left at temples being sold for slaughter.
Police investigations are continuing.
(Source: My Salem City OneIndia, Dinamalar)
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