Sidhi (Madhya Pradesh), July 15 (IANS) A 56-year-old man was booked for allegedly damaging an idol of Lord Hanuman at a village temple in Madhya Pradesh’s Sidhi district after the death of his one-month-old grandson, police said on Tuesday.

The incident occurred in Balhaya village under the Amilia police station limits.

The accused, identified as Rambhuvan Dwivedi, is alleged to have smashed the idol while grieving over the infant’s death.

According to the police, Dwivedi’s one-month-old grandson had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Sidhi District Hospital on July 4 after contracting pneumonia.

Family members had prayed for the child’s recovery and had vowed to organise a community feast, bhajan-kirtan and special prayers at the Hanuman temple if the infant survived.

However, the child’s condition worsened during treatment and he died at around 8 p.m. on Monday. His body was brought back to the family’s village later that night.

Police said that on Tuesday morning, Dwivedi went to the Hanuman temple located on his ancestral property and allegedly damaged the idol before sitting nearby in an emotionally disturbed state.

Villagers noticed the damaged idol and informed the police.

A police team reached the spot, inspected the temple and recorded the statements of local residents.

“Prima facie, the incident appears to have taken place when the accused was under severe emotional distress following the death of his grandson. However, a case has been registered and further investigation is underway,” Sihawal police outpost in-charge Pushpendra Singh told reporters.

Police have registered a case against Dwivedi under Sections 298 and 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deal with acts intended to outrage religious feelings by insulting religion or religious beliefs.

Officials said that the broken idol has been removed from the temple and the situation in the village remains peaceful.

“The law will take its course. We are investigating all aspects of the incident. At present, the situation is completely under control and no untoward incident has been reported,” Singh said.

Villagers said the family was deeply religious and had placed great faith in Lord Hanuman for the child’s recovery. They described Dwivedi as being in a state of shock after the infant’s death.

Police said counselling and necessary support would be extended to the bereaved family while the investigation continues.

–IANS

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