Woman accused of stealing temple statue ordered to undergo psychiatric evaluation

 Lawyer tenders medical report stating that S Shanudevi has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

S Shanudevi is accused of stealing a statue from the Thaneermalai Shree Balathandayuthapani Temple, also known as the Hilltop Temple, on Waterfall Road in Penang on June 15. (Facebook pic)

GEORGE TOWN:

A woman accused of stealing a statue from the Thaneermalai Shree Balathandayuthapani Temple here was ordered to undergo psychiatric evaluation after her lawyer tendered a medical report in court today.

S Shanudevi, 56, was brought before the magistrates’ court here to face a charge of theft in a building under Section 380 of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of up to 10 years and a fine, upon conviction.

No plea was recorded after her lawyer, N Selvarani, tendered a psychiatric report stating that Shanudevi had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Shanudevi, who is unemployed, is accused of stealing a Durga statue from the temple, also known as the Hilltop Temple, on Waterfall Road here at 6.15am on June 15.

The court ordered her to be sent to Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta for an evaluation and fixed June 30 for the next mention of the case.

No bail was granted.

The temple’s custodian, the Penang Hindu Endowments Board, has appointed senior lawyer K Kumaraendran to hold a watching brief.

The temple is one of Penang’s best-known Hindu temples and a major focal point for Thaipusam celebrations in the state. - FMT