MADURAI: A
temple priest stabbed a fellow
priest to death near
Palani in Dindigul district of
Tamil Nadu on Thursday.
The deceased has been identified as Malarkaniraja, 57, of Srivilliputhur. He was murdered by Dharmaraj. Both of them were working at a private temple near Palani.
Police said a dispute had erupted between them a few months ago over sharing money collected from devotees.
On Thursday morning, Malarkanairaja was on his way to the temple on his two-wheeler with his wife, Vijaya, riding pillion on it. Dharmaraj, who was waiting near the temple, pushed the two-wheeler down. As Malarkaniraja and his wife fell on the road, Dharmaraj took out a knife and stabbed him several times. When Malarkaniraja fell unconscious, the accused escaped from the spot.
Vijaya and passersby rushed Malarkaniraja to Palani Government Hospital where he died later.
The Palani town police registered a case and launched a search for Dharmaraj.