Three persons, including two women, were found dead on Monday in an alleged human sacrifice at a temple at Korthikota village of Tanakallu mandal in Anantapur district.
The victims, identified as priest Shivarami Reddy (70), his sister Kadapala Kamalamma (75), and Satya Lakshmiamma (70), were found murdered with their throats slit and blood sprinkled over the Shivalinga.
The incident came to light on Monday morning after devotees found bodies of the three inside the temple following which they informed the police.
Police and villagers suspect treasure hunters to have committed the crime.
The 15th century temple was being renovated.
Priest Shivarami Reddy and the two women were sleeping in the temple on Sunday night when alleged treasure hunters slit throats of all three and poured the blood on the Shiva lingam inside the temple, police said.
A murder case has been registered and investigation is underway, The News Minute reported.
Kadiri DySP Srinivasulu told TNM that unidentified persons killed Shivarami Reddy by causing heavy injuries on his head, as per preliminary investigation. He added that dog squad and clues teams have been roped in to investigate the case from all possible angles.
Kadiri Rural Circle Inspector Madhu told TNM that the police were investigating whether the crime scene was arranged in such a way to throw off the probe. We suspect that someone deliberately tried to influence the investigation by doing some suspicious things after the murders, he was quoted as saying by TNM.
(With inputs from Ashish Pandey)