Udupi: Karkala City Police have arrested a former data entry operator of the Pervaje Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple on charges of allegedly forging signatures on cheques belonging to the temple’s bank account and attempting to withdraw money fraudulently. The accused, identified as Akshaya Devadiga (29) of Yennehole Hanchikatte in Marne village, was produced before a court after his arrest.
Police said the case came to light after officials of the Indian Overseas Bank detected suspicious transactions involving cheques issued from the temple’s current account. The alleged fraud was uncovered before the amount could be withdrawn, following scrutiny by bank officials.
Former employee under investigation
According to police, Akshaya Devadiga had been working as a data entry operator at Pervaje Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple, which functions under the Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Karnataka.
He was employed at the temple from December 1, 2022, to May 7, 2026.
During a departmental audit, officials reportedly detected negligence and irregularities in records related to his work. Police said that when the authorities sought an explanation regarding the discrepancies, the accused allegedly resigned from his post and left without furnishing any clarification.
The audit findings subsequently prompted a closer examination of financial transactions linked to the temple.
Suspicious cheques detected by bank
According to the police investigation, six cheques belonging to the temple’s Indian Overseas Bank current account were presented for encashment on June 24.
Bank officials reportedly became suspicious after noticing irregularities in the cheques submitted for payment.
The bank manager and staff initiated a verification process, during which they found that the signatures appearing on the cheques had allegedly been forged.
Police said the cheques had been submitted without the knowledge or approval of the chairman of the temple management committee, raising concerns about an attempted financial fraud.
The alertness of the bank officials prevented the alleged fraudulent withdrawal from being completed.
Case registered by Karkala Police
Following the discovery of the suspected forgery, a formal complaint was lodged with the Karkala City Police.
Based on the complaint, police registered a case against Akshaya Devadiga under the relevant provisions of law relating to forgery, cheating and the use of forged documents.
Investigators subsequently traced the accused and took him into custody for questioning.
Police stated that the accused was later produced before the jurisdictional court after his arrest.
Investigation continues
Officials are continuing their investigation to determine the full extent of the alleged fraud and whether any money was withdrawn or any other attempts were made to misuse the temple’s financial resources.
Police are also examining the circumstances under which the cheques came into the possession of the accused and whether anyone else was involved in the alleged offence.
Investigators are scrutinising temple records, bank documents and other evidence to establish the sequence of events leading to the alleged forgery.
Importance of financial safeguards
The incident has highlighted the importance of regular audits and strong financial monitoring mechanisms in institutions handling public and religious funds.
Police said the vigilance exercised by bank officials played a crucial role in detecting the alleged forgery before the transaction could be completed.
Authorities also noted that routine audits and prompt verification of financial documents help prevent misuse of institutional funds and strengthen accountability.
The investigation is expected to continue over the coming days, with police examining all aspects of the case before filing a detailed report before the court. Officials have indicated that further legal action will be taken based on the evidence gathered during the course of the investigation.