---
title: "Pathanamthitta Priest Arrested for Chilli Powder Attack on Woman to Steal Gold Chain in Temple"
english_title: "Pathanamthitta Priest Arrested for Attempting to Rob Gold Chain From Woman in Temple | Kerala Crime News"
publisher: "Truevision English News"
canonical_url: "https://english.truevisionnews.com/news/379695/pathanamthitta-priest-arrested-attacking-woman-stealing-gold-chain-temple"
published_at: "2026-08-23T09:05:00+05:30"
category: "Crime"
language: "en"
image: "https://cf.zdn.im/img/truevisionnews.com/0/image-uploads/6a8a6b1bb945a_pathanamthitta-priest-arrested-attacking-woman-stealing-gold-chain-temple.jpg"
keywords: ["Kerala Crime News", "Temple Priest Arrested", "Gold Chain Robbery Attempt", "Crime News Kerala"]
---

# Pathanamthitta Priest Arrested for Chilli Powder Attack on Woman to Steal Gold Chain in Temple

> **Lead Summary:** Pathanamthitta: In a shocking incident, a temple priest was arrested for allegedly attacking a woman worker and attempting to snatch her gold chain inside a temple premises in Pathanamthitta.

## Article Content

Pathanamthitta: In a shocking incident, a temple priest was arrested for allegedly attacking a woman worker and attempting to snatch her gold chain inside a temple premises in Pathanamthitta.

The accused has been identified as M.P. Bijumon (52), a resident of Mettayil House near Gurumandiram, Pookode, Elanthoor. He was apprehended by the Elavumthitta Police. The incident took place at the Ullannoor Pulikkoottinal Temple.

According to police, the attack occurred around 6 AM on Friday. The victim, Vijayamma (63), who does Kazhakam duties at the temple, was cleaning the temple as part of her daily routine when the priest attacked her.

Police said the accused had planned the robbery in advance. He parked his two-wheeler at a distance from the temple and entered the compound through a nearby rubber plantation to avoid being noticed. He had reportedly spread chilli powder on a silk cloth from the temple and then pressed it against Vijayamma's face, attempting to suffocate her and blind her with the chilli powder.

After that, he tried to snatch her gold chain. However, Vijayamma resisted the attack and managed to free herself and raised a loud alarm. Hearing her cries, local residents rushed to the spot. The priest tried to flee, but the locals chased him, caught him and handed him over to the police.

The police recorded Vijayamma's statement and have registered a case for assault and attempted robbery.

In a further development, police revealed that the accused is not new to crime. He is already an accused in a murder case registered at Pathanamthitta Police Station and in another criminal case at Koyipuram Police Station.

The arrest was made by a team led by Elavumthitta Station House Officer K.R. Rajesh Kumar, Assistant Sub-Inspector Prakash, Senior Civil Police Officers Rakesh and Riju, and Civil Police Officers Akhil and Manish. The accused has been remanded to judicial custody.

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- [Original Story Source](https://english.truevisionnews.com/news/379695/pathanamthitta-priest-arrested-attacking-woman-stealing-gold-chain-temple)