18 Jul. 24: Police in Uttar Pradesh’s Siddharthnagar district are taking legal action against a Hindu temple priest, Krich Ram, for breaking a Ganesh idol and falsely accusing two Muslim men, Mannan and Sonu, of the act.
On July 16, Krich Ram filed a complaint at the Kathela Samaymata police station, alleging that Mannan and Sonu had vandalized the idol at his temple in Taulihawah village and threatened him, claiming they would prevent him from conducting puja and kirtan activities. He also accused them of assaulting his wife.
The FIR, reviewed by The Wire, portrayed the incident as a communal attack, highlighting the religious identities of the accused. Given the volatile communal situation in the BJP-governed state, local police swiftly registered an FIR against Mannan and Sonu, charging them with causing voluntary hurt and defiling a place of worship.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Darvesh Kumar, overseeing the Shohratgarh circle, said the seriousness of the case prompted an immediate investigation. A team, including local police and the sub-divisional magistrate, visited the site and discovered through testimonies of children present that it was the priest himself who had broken the idol.
“During the investigation, children aged 8-10 who were playing nearby told us, ‘Sadhu baba broke the idol.’ Believing them, we interrogated the priest rigorously,” said Kumar. The priest eventually confessed, admitting he had fabricated the story to settle an existing dispute with the two Muslim men.
Legal action is now being taken against Krich Ram. The situation in the area remains calm, according to police reports.
