Priest murdered inside Hathras temple

Agra: A 51-year-old priest was found murdered on Monday morning inside a Hanuman temple premises in Sahpau town of Hathras district. The victim had been struck on the head with a heavy object, said police.

Priest Dilip Kumar alias Chandu Lala was a resident of Nagla Sukhram village and had been performing religious duties at the temple for the past eight months. Kumar was unmarried and lived alone on the temple premises, said his nephew Prem Kumar.

The murder came to light on Monday morning when locals grew concerned after the temple remained closed well past its usual opening hours. Upon entering the shrine, residents discovered the priest lying in a pool of blood.

A police team from Sahpau Kotwali police station arrived and a forensic team collected critical evidence from the crime scene. Sadabad DSP, J N Asthana, also inspected the site to review the initial findings. The body has been sent for a post-mortem examination, said Asthana.

An FIR has been registered at Sahpau police station under BNS section 103(1) (murder).

While the motive behind the killing remains unclear, investigators are currently exploring all possible angles, including theft and personal enmity. Five police teams have been formed to trace the assailant.