Temple desecration: Priest, TDP leaders held for damaging Subrahmunya Swamy idol in East Godavari
Andhra Pradesh police have unearthed a major TDP conspiracy to vandalize the temples and create unrest in the state.
By Newsmeter Network Published on 1 Feb 2021 8:55 AM IST
East Godavari: Andhra Pradesh police have unearthed a major TDP conspiracy to vandalize the temples and create unrest in the state.
Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Police have arrested two TDP leaders and a priest for desecrating the the idol of Subrahmunya Swamy at Sri Sankata Haravara Siddhi Vinayaka Swamy temple in Rajahmundry
SIT said two TDP leaders bribed a priest to cut the hands of the idol of Subrahmunya Swamy at Sri Sankata Haravara Siddhi Vinayaka Swamy temple in Rajahmundry of East Godavari district on December 31.
Special Investigation Team (SIT) chief Ashok Kumar said Marala Venkata Muralikrishna, the priest at Sri Sankata Haravara Siddhi Vinayaka Swamy temple, had lodged a complaint with the 3-town police station that some miscreants damaged the idol of Subrahmunya Swamy on December 31, 2020.
SIT said temple priest is not only financially weak but also has some bad habits. He reportedly borrowed money from moneylenders during the Covid-19 lockdown as temples were closed and there were no earnings.
The two TDP leaders allegedly offered the priest Rs 30,000 to damage the idol. They are said to have admitted to the police that they wanted to create unrest. They also wanted to raise money from the devotees to install a new idol.
The Special Investigation Team has arrested the priest along with two Telugu Desam Party leaders.
Police have registered a case under sections 448, 427, 295 and 153(A). SIT chief said eight special teams have been formed to nab the culprits. After a thorough investigation, Marala Venkata Muralikrishna was arrested on January 31, 2021.
