Coimbatore: The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department officials on Wednesday placed an electrician and a priest attached to the Perur Patteeswarar Temple under suspension for allowing a police officer to offer prayers after the temple’s closing hours on Sunday night.An official source said the action was taken against temple priest Saminathan and electrician Velmurugan after a video related to the incident surfaced on social media.While the sanctum sanctorum was closed around 9pm, the duo partially opened the door to allow a private darshan for the police officer, who then offered prayers. An onlooker, who questioned how the officer was granted special access, recorded the incident and shared the video on social media.A group of devotees lodged a complaint with the district collector on Wednesday, condemning the HR&CE officials for allowing the police officer to offer prayers during late night hours.
