Temple priest assaulted, accused arrested

Tension gripped the Sodal area this morning after a disturbing act of vandalism at a local temple was reported, where miscreants also allegedly assaulted a priest and desecrated the idol of Shani Devta. The incident, which took place at the Shani Maharaj temple in Thapra Bagichi on Sodal Road, has sparked outrage among devotees and area residents.

According to witnesses, the attackers entered the temple premises and began damaging the idol. When the priest intervened, he was assaulted. The attackers then allegedly severed the head of the idol and threw it to the ground before fleeing the scene.

As word of the incident spread, residents rushed to the temple and demanded strict action against those responsible. A complaint was immediately lodged with the police.

ACP North, Rishabh Bhola, said the police responded swiftly and arrested the accused. “An FIR has been registered and further investigation is underway to establish the motive behind this act,” he said.

He said the accused will be taken in remand for further investigation, and if any other persons are found involved in the attack, they would also be arrested soon.