Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi(EP)

Udupi, Dec 6: BJP and Bajrang Dal leaders have allegedly entered the Garbha Gudi of Karje Mahalingeshwar temple, disrobed the genetic trustee and priest and assaulted them on Thursday afternoon, December 6.

The temple priest Ramakrishna Adiga and Srikanath Adiga who were victims of the assault have been admitted as inpatients in Ajjarkad district hospital.

The gang of former president of Karje grama panchayat, BJP leader Suresh Shetty Tadal, Suggi Sudhaker, Balakrishna Shetty Kangibettu, Navin Putran, Sadananda Santhekatte and ten others illegally entered the temple, removed the clothes of genetic trustee Ramakrishna Adiga and have hit him with wooden lath threatening to kill him. They have snatched the thread of the priest and gold Rudraksh chain during the assault. Adiga said that they have allegedly insulted Adiga when he was praying to Shiva deity asking where is his Shiva. Adiga who was frightened, jumped the wall behind the temple and escaped.

A suspect who had assaulted them was the president of temple renovation committee in the past. They had stolen the hundi of the temple six months ago and a case of theft was registered against them.

The management committee of the temple had complained to Kundapur AC as they were interfering every time in the temple administration. The deputy commissioner had asked the police department to make sure that they do not interfere in temple matters. However, Brahmavar police station inspector Raghavendra had ignored the orders of the deputy commissioner and was supporting the suspects.

Adiga alleged that when a meeting of compromise was in progress regarding the developments in the presence of Udupi MLA Raghupathi Bhat, suspect Sudhaker Suggi and Suresh Shetty Tadal had threatened Adiga that they will cut his hands and legs and kill him.