Police claim plot to kill Dasna temple priest uncovered, one arrested

An FIR had been lodged against Saraswati last month for allegedly hurting religious sentiments with his remarks on the Prophet during a press conference in Delhi on April 1. His temple in Ghaziabad was also in the news in March, when a Muslim boy was assaulted for trying to have water from the tap there.

“While searching through Dar’s luggage, police recovered a .30 bore pistol along with two magazines and 15 live rounds,” an officer claimed.

Police claimed that during questioning, Dar told them he works as a carpenter and he had met one Abid, a suspected JEM member, near his home in December 2020.

“Abid told Dar that he was from Pakistan and associated with the JeM. They became friends and met again on April 11. They were in constant touch with each other via WhatsApp. In February, Dar came to Delhi with his sister and her father-in-law for treatment of his nephew, who has a heart ailment. Once he returned to Kashmir, Abid assigned him the assassination task,” the officer claimed.

Police said Abid trained him and gave him Rs 6,500 in cash. He also transferred Rs 35,000 to his account and asked him to procure a weapon from his friend in Delhi. “Police are now looking for Abid’s friend, who provided Dar with a weapon,” the officer said.