Gurgaon: Man lynched for accidentally breaking idol while cleaning; priest among 3 held

According to police, the victim, Dinesh from Nepal, was hired a few days ago to clean the temple and fit tiles on the premises. Police said on Wednesday, he accidentally broke two fingers of an idol while cleaning it. The accused, who were sitting nearby, spotted the damage.

Preet Pal, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) (Crime), said, “It was around 11 pm. The victim was accused of breaking two-three fingers of the idol. Ajit called Premjeet and Sonu who work at a gaushala. Dinesh was tied to a banyan tree and the accused thrashed him with sticks, rods and even an axe. He succumbed to injuries.”

Police said the accused later dumped the man’s body outside the temple.

Mahesh Kumar, a local who works near the temple, alleged, “He (Dinesh) accidentally broke one of the idols. Ajit got furious and attacked him. He then called his associates who tied up the man and killed him. I tried to stop them but they threatened me. I left. The next day, I found his body.”

Dinesh was rushed to Civil Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival. Based on Mahesh’s complaint and enquiry, police arrested the accused between Thursday and Friday.

“The main accused is the priest as he attacked the man and called his associates. He is the caretaker of the temple and lives there. His two associates are criminals out on bail… Balhara was earlier held in a rape case while Sonu was caught in an attempt to murder case,” added the ACP.

Police said they have recovered the rope used during the offence along with the other weapons. The trio are being questioned about the sequence of events.

Locals said Dinesh lived alone in Gurgaon. Police are trying to contact his family.