PATIALA: Patiala city witnessed tension on Tuesday when a man was arrested for an alleged attempt to commit sacrilege at Kali Devi Temple.
The accused reportedly tried to scale the railing to reach the idol of Kali Devi but was thwarted by the prompt action of the temple priest, staff, and security guards. Law enforcement was called, and the man was handed over to the police.
SSP Varun Sharma and SDM Ishmit Vijay Singh visited the scene to collect evidence for further investigation. SSP Varun Sharma stated, "An unfortunate incident took place on Tuesday, but due to the timely intervention of the temple staff and the police, the sacrilege attempt was prevented. The accused has been identified as Mandeep Singh, a resident in the vicinity of Government Medical College. After paying obeisance, he tried to approach the idol of Kali Devi but was immediately restrained."
A case is being registered against Mandeep Singh under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.
The Kali Devi Temple, a historical site in Patiala, attracts hundreds of devotees regularly, with a notable surge during the Navratri festival. Increased security measures are typically in place, especially on Saturdays, to manage the substantial crowds and prevent untoward incidents.