•Suspicious activities during hundi counting at Sri Kanaka Durgamma Devasthanam revealed staff attempting to replace genuine gold with rolled gold.
•Trust Board members intervened, discovering gold items worth Rs. 1.25 lakhs had been separated; staff apprehended and inquiry launched.
•Devasthanam Executive Officer Sheena Naik ordered a full investigation, issuing memos and vowing strict action against those undermining devotee faith.
•This marks the fourth such incident since the new Trust Board took charge, sparking anger among devotees despite CCTV and supervisory committees.
•Experts call for enhanced supervision, technology, and external oversight in hundi counting to uphold devotee trust.
