The Kochi City police on Thursday arrested a man on the charge of vandalising the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Kacheripady.
Preliminary investigations suggested that the accused, identified as Deep from Bihar, was suffering from mental instability.
He landed in police custody upon examination of CCTV visuals obtained from the location.
“The footage showed him trespass into the compound late on Wednesday and attempt to topple the concrete structure from its platform by force.
“In the impact of the fall, the head of the statue was severed. It was found lying on the ground,” a police officer said.
The vandalisation was first spotted by Ekta Parishat workers, who in turn alerted activists of the Gandhi Peace Foundation. Soon, a police complaint was lodged.
A case was registered against Deep for trespass and causing damage to public property. He was produced before a magistrate.