The keyword "hot" in this context is an understatement of the scandal's sensational nature. The allegations against Devanathan were deeply disturbing and involved several egregious acts:
The most severe allegations were that of rape and criminal intimidation. One victim, a 30-year-old woman named Malar (name changed) and a school teacher's wife, came forward to the police. She alleged that Devanathan had drugged her before raping her inside the temple. To ensure her continued compliance, he recorded the sexual act on his mobile phone. He then used this footage to blackmail her, threatening to show it to her husband if she refused to "cooperate". He would visit her home under the guise of asking for milk for a puja as a signal to meet him at the temple.
The scandal severely impacted public sentiment surrounding temple governance, resulting in heightened scrutiny over the background verification and regulation of temple administrative staff across Tamil Nadu.
Following public outrage and local protests led by women's rights groups in Kanchipuram, the Tamil Nadu police launched immediate raids on the priest’s residence and temple-adjacent properties.
