To shoot Instagram reel, youth sets memorial stone at Vasai Fort on fire

The Vasai police have booked a youth for allegedly setting a memorial stone on fire at Vasai Fort to shoot an Instagram reel. On the complaint of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which protects the fort, the police have booked the youth and are further probing the matter.

According to the police, in a viral video, the accused is seen carving the letter ‘S’ on the memorial stone using some chemical and setting it on fire with the song ‘Bewafa’ in the background. The memorial stone is one of the many created in the name of soldiers in 1680 by the Portuguese at the Vasai Fort.

When the video went viral and related news reports emerged, the ASI officials visited the spot and, after a thorough inspection, filed a complaint against the youth, identified as Hashim Shaikh.

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The police booked Shaikh under section 30(1) of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. They are in the process of identifying witnesses and further investigating the matter.

The ASI also put up a notice board at the Vasai Fort Tuesday, warning people to refrain from activities that damage the monument.