Torn pages of holy book found, priest arrested

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, October 2

Gurjit Singh, a priest, was arrested after torn pages of a holy book (Gutka Sahib) were found in a street of Adampur in the district this morning.

Addressing a press conference in the evening, Jalandhar Rural SSP Harmohan Singh said the accused had admitted that he purchased the Gutka Sahib from a stall at a Kirtan Darbar held in a nearby village, Khuradpur, last night. On his way back home, Gurjit started tearing the holy book for reasons yet to be ascertained, the SSP said.

On being informed about the incident of sacrilege, the police reached the spot and called forensic experts.

Superintendent of Police (Investigation) Parminder Singh Bhandal said Gurjit had been booked under Section 295A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The pages were taken to a nearby gurdwara, where prayers were held.