Yogesh K Porwar & Siddarath Sethia
Alert villagers caught a 35-year-old wall painter from Uttar Pradesh who had set fire to temple car parked at the historical Kalleshwara swamy temple premises in Nittur hobli in Gubbi Taluk of Tumakuru district on Monday.
The accused has been identified as Radshesham from Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh,used to stay in the village and doing odd jobs after his friends returned to their native.
The accused was living alone and said to be mentally disturbed,the police said .
The accused walked into the temple premises and set fire to the car.Passers-by noticed the fire and tried to put it out but it was too late.By the time fire tenders reached the spot,the car was completely gutted.
Enraged villagers caught Radhesham and thrashed him before he was handed over to the police.
Based on the complaint, the police charged the accused under section 436 (mischief by fire or any explosive substance) and also prevention of damage to public property act for further investigations,.
Meanwhile taking advantage of the situation,BJP worker posted the incident on social media commenting jihadi mindset,with an intent to give it a communal colour.
Taking a strong exception to this,the police said that they will initiate legal action against BJP party worker , Shakuntala Nataraj and her associates,who were habitual offenders and arrested earlier for similar offences.
As many as three FIRs have been filed against Ms. Shakuntala for her racist and communal remarks on social media and even posting objectionable tweet against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah .
