A 56-year-old woman has been charged with stealing a Goddess Durga statue from the Thaneermalai Shree Balathandayuthapani Temple in Penang. The court has ordered her to undergo a psychiatric evaluation to determine her mental fitness before legal proceedings can continue.
Shanudevi, who is unemployed, appeared in court on June 22, 2026, facing allegations of stealing the statue of Goddess Durga. During the proceedings, concerns were raised about her mental condition, prompting the court to mandate an evaluation by psychiatric specialists. She reportedly stole the statue on June 15, 2026 at 6:15am.
The court has ordered her to be sent to Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta for an evaluation, with the next mention of the case scheduled for June 30. This assessment will help determine if she is fit to stand trial and capable of understanding the charges against her. Until the evaluation is completed, the court has postponed further proceedings in the case.
The alleged theft has garnered public attention due to the religious significance of the statue and the temple involved. Authorities had previously initiated an investigation after reports surfaced that the statue was missing.
The psychiatric assessment is expected to provide the court with a clearer understanding of the woman’s mental state before any further legal action is taken. The case will be revisited once the evaluation report is submitted to the court.
Source: FMT
