Kundapur : The Kundapur police, have arrested a counter staff  of  Sri Mookambika Temple, Kollur for stealing cash and gold worth Rs 20 lakh from temple on Monday .

The accused identified as Shivaram, who was a counter staff at the temple since 2012. He was also in-charge of looking after the gold and cash donated to the temple.

It is said that, as Shivaram was to go on leave from February 14 to 15 , he was instructed to give the key of the locker to the concerned person in-charge in his absence. However, Shivaram failed to return the key.

Though a staff at the temple called-up Shivaram asking for the key, he dint return the key instead Shivaram sent Rs 4 lakh with his wife.

Thereafter, as several attempts to contact Shivaram failed, the temple authorities filed a complaint.

It is still unclear as to why Shivaram, a worker, was given the charge of maintaining valuables in the temple.

It is also suspected that there are other people involved in the theft as well.