A half-naked, mentally challenged man in an inebriated state created chaos in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar after he climbed to the top of the Vitthal-Rukhmai temple in Pandharpur and attempted to damage the sacred kalas early Thursday morning. The shocking incident sent panic across the Waluj area, prompting immediate police intervention.
According to reports, the temple’s board of trustees had completed religious rituals on Wednesday night before closing the premises. The accused reportedly jumped over the compound wall and entered the temple complex. When the temple guard tried to stop him, he retaliated by pelting stones. He then climbed the temple using a chain, reached the top, and began shouting while attempting to break the copper kalas.
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The temple guard immediately alerted officials, who rushed to the scene. A team from MIDC police station, including PSI Bhagyashree Shinde and Bhagatsingh Ghunawat, attempted to persuade the man to climb down, but he refused. After a prolonged effort, the police managed to bring him down safely, preventing further damage to the temple.
The identity of the individual remains unknown, but initial reports suggest he is a mentally challenged person from Bihar. He sustained minor injuries and has been admitted to the hospital. The police have launched an investigation to determine further details.
Temple chairman Rajendra Patil Pawar, secretary Appasaheb Patil Zalke, and other committee members, including assisted the police in handling the situation.
Authorities are probing the motive behind the act and whether the individual had any prior history of such behavior.