Local Man Beaten For Stealing Cash From Hindu Temple Offerings

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A 46-year-old man named I Nengah Mustika has been beaten by villagers after being caught for stealing cash from a Hindu Temple’s offering.

The Head of the Klungkung Police Department, AKP Bima Ariya Viyasa confirmed that the man who has been living in Pikat Village, Klungkung has now been hospitalized after getting beaten by people who caught him stealing from a temple. “The suspect suffered a broken left leg after getting beaten by the villagers for attempting to steal some cash from a temple.” AKP Viyasa said on Wednesday (5/5). The incident occured when officials from Penataran Agung Catur Parahyangan Ratu Pasek Linggih Ida Batara started a night patrol around the temple area on Tuesday evening (4/5).

This idea was initiated after the temple was losing quite a large amount of cash from their offering box. “We have received several reports regarding similar incidents from that temple before, that’s why the temple officials decided to begin their night patrol in order to find the suspect.” AKP Viyasa added. The temple officials who were patrolling that day spotted a man who was suspiciously approaching the offering box on early Wednesday morning (5/5) around 5:00am. Shortly after, the people ambushed the suspect and started assaulting him.

The suspect was detained along with USD 206 (IDR 3 million) cash that he stole from the offering box and a motorbike Honda PCX. He also admitted that he has been doing this activity since 2020, and he has already collected around USD 10,300 (IDR 150 million). “The suspect is now being treated at the Klungkung Public Hospital for his leg injury, and after that he could possibly face 9 years of imprisonment for what he has done.” AKP Viyasa concluded.