In a shocking incident, the Dehradun police apprehended Saddam, a resident of Mehunwala, on December 13 for desecrating the Kali Temple in Harrawala. The miscreant was caught on CCTV footage urinating outside the temple and hurling stones, causing damage to its glass windows.
In an official statement issued on the same day, the Dehradun police revealed that Saddam is undergoing treatment at the mental hospital in Selaqui, Dehradun. The police clarified that the accused, allegedly mentally deranged, is presently in the care of medical professionals. However, the authorities are actively seeking comprehensive information about his medical condition.
The incident, which occurred during the night between December 11 and 12, came to light on December 12 when devotees discovered the broken windows. Upon reviewing the CCTV footage, it became apparent that an individual, characterised by a substantial beard and wearing a skull cap, was responsible for the destructive acts. Following the desecration, the perpetrator swiftly fled the scene.
Responding to the incident, members of Hindu organisations gathered outside the temple on December 12, staging a protest and demanding the immediate arrest of the accused. Subsequently, a case was registered at the Doiwala police station based on the complaint of Harrawala councilor Vinod Kumar. The police initiated efforts to apprehend the suspect, successfully identifying him through the aid of CCTV footage.
Saddam, son of Arif Ali and a resident of Naya Nagar under Mehunwala Police Station, has been booked under sections 295, 153A, and 427 of the IPC. The police, acknowledging the sensitive nature of the issue, continue to maintain vigilance in the area. While neighbors revealed that Saddam is often restrained due to his mental condition, the police assert that a thorough investigation is ongoing, examining all angles surrounding the incident. SSP Ajay Singh affirmed that the probe will consider the mental state of the accused and determine whether the act was deliberate or a consequence of his mental health condition. Saddam is currently being produced before the court as the investigation progresses.
