A 35-year-old ticket booking agent was arrested by Tiruvannamalai Town police near Arunachaleswarar temple in town on Tuesday for cheating devotees of cash, promising special worship at the temple.

The police said that the arrested person was identified as M. Selvan, a resident of Tiruvannamalai town. He was working at a ticket booking centre in the town.

Initial inquiry revealed that on May 29, a group of five devotees from Andhra Pradesh visited the town. The police said that suspect Selvan promised them a special darshan without waiting in the queue by paying extra money to temple authorities. He reportedly demanded and received ₹5,000 from the devotees.

The police said Selvan, then, gave them an ordinary ticket worth ₹50. Devotees realised that they were cheated and tried to nab him inside the temple premises. However, Selvan fled the spot. The police said based on a complaint from temple authorities, a case was registered. CCTV camera footage was analysed by the police. They identified Selvan and nabbed from his hideout in the town. He was lodged at sub-jail in the town. A probe is under way.