Tamil Nadu Temple Declines to Return iPhone Dropped in Donation Box

Officials cite religious rules stating that items placed in the hundi become temple property, sparking a debate over tradition and compensation.

A devotee named Dinesh accidentally dropped his iPhone into the hundi (donation box) at the Sri Kandaswamy temple in Tamil Nadu while making an offering.
Temple authorities refused to return the phone, asserting that anything placed in the hundi is considered an offering to the deity and becomes temple property.
The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR & CE) Minister, P K Sekar Babu, affirmed the temple's decision, referencing long-standing religious traditions and rules.
Dinesh was allowed to retrieve his data and SIM card but insisted on the return of the device, which the temple administration declined to do.
A similar incident occurred in 2023 at another Tamil Nadu temple, where a gold chain accidentally dropped into the hundi was replaced by the temple board chairman at his personal expense.