Tamil Nadu BJP vice-president K P Ramalingam lodged in jail for breaking into temple

SALEM: State BJP vice-president K P Ramalingam was shifted to the Salem Central Prison on Thursday from the Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College and Hospital in the city, where he was admitted on August 14 after he complained of chest pain when police arrested him for breaking into Bharatha Madha Temple.
While doctors discharged Ramalingam from the hospital, he refused to go with police, who then used mild force to take him to the prison.
District superintendent of police C Kalaichelvan said the Papparapatty police had given full respect to the BJP leader. “The leader wasn't cooperative from the time he was arrested. But police handled the situation very smoothly.”
Before doctors gave their consent to discharge Ramalingam, he said, Pennagaram sub court judicial magistrate M Praveena checked the BJP leader in person. She also discussed Ramalingam’s health condition with the doctors.
On August 11, BJP functionaries in Dharmapuri district had organized a procession at Papparapatty as part of the 75th Independence Day celebrations. When they reached Bharatha Madha Temple, they found it closed. A few of party members, including Ramalingam and district BJP president Baskar, broke the locks, entered the temple and performed puja.
Based on a complaint lodged by the temple authorities, police registered a case and arrested five BJP leaders, including Ramalingam, on August 14.