Bareilly: The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday rejected the bail plea of a man accused of vandalizing statues of Lord Shiva and attempting to kill a temple priest in Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly district. The court held that such offenses, which threaten communal harmony and deeply hurt religious sentiments, must be dealt with firmly.
The accused, Shahrukh, was arrested in July 2024 for his involvement in an alleged attack on a temple where idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were destroyed. The incident occurred during the holy month of Sawan, a period considered sacred for devotees of Lord Shiva. It is reported that Shahrukh, along with other accomplices, entered the temple premises and damaged the idols with the intention of stirring communal unrest.
The matter escalated when Shahrukh allegedly attacked the temple priest with a knife. The priest, however, managed to escape, avoiding fatal injuries. Following the incident, the accused was apprehended by the police and charged under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 298 (uttering words with intent to hurt religious feelings), 299 (culpable homicide), 302 (attempt to murder), 109(1) (abetment of a criminal act), and 61(2) of the Indian Penal Code, 2023.
During the bail hearing, Justice Ashutosh Srivastava presided over the case and expressed strong disapproval of the crimes, stating that society cannot allow such acts to foster. He emphasized that acts of desecrating religious symbols and targeting religious figures have the potential to incite communal violence, which could lead to far-reaching consequences for public peace and order.
The defense counsel for the accused argued that Shahrukh had been falsely implicated in the case, asserting that he had no prior criminal record and posed no risk of absconding or tampering with evidence if granted bail. The lawyer also highlighted that there was no direct involvement of Shahrukh in the temple’s desecration.
However, the prosecution, represented by the Additional Government Advocate (AGA), firmly opposed the bail request, citing eyewitness testimonies that clearly implicated Shahrukh in both the desecration of the idols and the attack on the priest. The prosecution stressed that the actions of the accused had severely disturbed religious sentiments and threatened communal harmony in the region.
Taking into account the severity of the accusations and the potential for communal unrest stemming from such incidents, the court ruled against granting bail to the accused. Justice Srivastava remarked that offenses aimed at promoting hatred between communities or inciting violence should be strictly suppressed. The court held that the accused’s release could potentially undermine the gravity of the crime and the investigation’s progress. The case now moves forward for trial, with the accused remaining in custody pending further proceedings.
The incident has sparked tension in the local community, with authorities urging calm and maintaining heightened security to prevent any potential escalation of communal discord.
