Vendor Apprehended After Alleged Temple Desecration in Hyderabad
The Malkajgiri police in Hyderabad took into custody a 26-year-old vendor on Sunday for the alleged desecration of a place of worship. The incident occurred at the Katta Maisamma temple in the Safilguda area, sparking local outrage and political protests.
Details of the Incident and Arrest
According to police, the event unfolded around 8:30 pm on Saturday. The accused, who had reportedly moved to Hyderabad from Bidar just a month prior, is alleged to have entered the temple and committed an indecent act before the idol. A video showing the individual being confronted by locals after he allegedly defecated near the temple entrance later circulated widely on social media.
Law enforcement officials have booked the man under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
- Section 333 for Trespass
- Section 196(2) for promoting enmity between groups
- Section 298 for defiling a place of worship
- Section 299 for deliberately outraging religious feelings
He was subsequently sent to judicial remand. However, a significant development emerged during the preliminary investigation. A senior officer from Malkajgiri revealed that police checks in Bidar confirmed no prior criminal cases against the accused. Crucially, authorities there provided a document certifying that he is not mentally sound.
The investigation is ongoing, and police plan to seek court permission to take the accused into their custody. This will allow them to better ascertain his mental condition and understand the circumstances that led him to the temple.
Political Protests and Demands for Strict Action
The viral video prompted dozens of protesters, including local residents and BJP leaders, to gather at the temple site. They demanded stringent action, leading to mild tension in the area.
Protesters called for the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) within two days to conduct a thorough probe. They also demanded the invocation of the Preventive Detention (PD) Act against the accused and for him to be booked as a rowdy sheeter.
Telangana BJP chief N Ramchander Rao, who joined the agitation, claimed this was not an isolated incident. He accused the Congress-led state government of failing to act against those responsible for such offences. "Hindus are under threat. We will initiate a cultural movement to safeguard the feelings of the people, their temples and cows," he stated.
Other voices from the protest emphasized the need for justice. Student S Hanumanth Reddy demanded a transparent investigation and strict punishment to deter future occurrences. IT employee K Brahma Karthik warned that any delay in handling such sensitive cases would erode public trust in the system.
Police Assurance and Heightened Security
In response to the demonstrations, Malkajgiri ACP Y Venkat Reddy assured the crowd that a special police team would be formed soon to investigate the case. Following this reassurance, the protesters dispersed peacefully from the temple grounds by approximately 2 pm.
As a precautionary measure, Malkajgiri police significantly beefed up security around the Katta Maisamma temple to prevent any untoward incidents. Officials have appealed to the public to remain calm and refrain from spreading unverified rumors or information while the investigation proceeds.
