PATIALA: In a shocking incident in Dhuri of Sangrur district, the local police have unearthed the body of a man from beneath the Havan Kund (Fire Pit) of the
Baglamukhi Temple
here on Friday evening. The deceased, identified as 33-year-old
Sandeep Kumar
from Mahesh Nagar, Dhuri, was allegedly murdered by two priests of the temple.
The accused, priest Ashok Shastri from Dhuri and Parmanand from Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh, have been apprehended by the police and the probe has been initiated in the matter.
The police have charged both the accused with murder, common intention, and attempting to disappear the evidence of the crime. The gruesome act is believed to have taken place between Thursday and Friday night inside the temple.
Gurinder Kumar, Sandeep’s father, is devastated by the loss of his son. He stated that Sandeep had been living with Ashok Shastri since 2009, who had assured the family that Sandeep was like a son to him. However, the trust was shattered when Gurinder learned that his son had gone missing and was later found to have been killed and buried within the temple premises. Gurinder suspects that his son’s death could be linked to occult practices, although the police have not confirmed this aspect of the investigation. “The Hawan (any ritual wherein offerings are made into consecrated fire) at Baglamukhi Mata temple are usually performed at night. My son was a Sewadar at the Baglamukhi temple in Dhuri. I have been working as a Sewadar at the Ashram at Naina Devi temple for the past nine years”.
SSP Sangrur Sartaj Singh Chahal said the mortal remains of the deceased man were recovered and the probe was being carried out to look out in all perspectives however no such facts pointed towards any occult practices as reason behind the murder. He said that personal animosity was being suspected as a reason behind the killing and it was being investigated how the crime was shaped.
The Station House Officer (SHO) of Dhuri, Sourav, has confirmed that a case has been registered and that the post-mortem of Sandeep’s body is underway. He assured that more information would be disclosed as the investigation progresses.
This tragic event has sent shockwaves through the locals, raising concerns about the activities occurring within the sacred walls of the temple. The police are conducting a thorough investigation to uncover the full story behind Sandeep Kumar’s untimely demise and to bring justice to the bereaved family.
