Security personnel at the Ram Janmabhoomi complex in Ayodhya detained a 55-year-old man from Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday after he was allegedly found attempting to offer namaz near a restricted area. The incident caused a brief escalation before intelligence agencies, after hours of questioning and verification, cleared and released him, finding no malicious intent or terror links.
Detention and Immediate Response
The individual was identified as Abu Ahmad Sheikh (55), a resident of Wodapora village in Shopian district. Officials stated that Sheikh had completed the darshan (viewing of the deity) and was exiting the temple premises when alert security staff noticed his actions near the southern circumambulatory corridor close to Sita Rasoi, a zone where such prayers are prohibited.
Security immediately intervened and took him into custody. Sources indicated the situation intensified briefly when Sheikh allegedly raised slogans after being stopped. This prompted a swift response from intelligence agencies and the local police, who moved him to the Ram Janmabhoomi police outpost within the complex for questioning.
Thorough Background Verification and Findings
The interrogation was conducted under the supervision of SP (Security) Balramachari Dubey. Senior intelligence officials led a detailed probe, verifying Sheikh's background with inputs from the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
No suspicious object was recovered from his possession, and no criminal record or adverse antecedents were found, the officials confirmed. His medical history revealed he has been undergoing treatment for depression at Jammu Medical College since 2024. Investigators emphasized that no terror links or organizational affiliations emerged during the investigation.
Sheikh's Journey and Personal Details
During questioning, Sheikh told police he traveled to Ayodhya on January 6, reaching the Ayodhya Dham railway station at 12:03 pm on Saturday. His arrival was corroborated by CCTV footage from the station. He proceeded directly to the temple complex for prayers.
Police learned that Sheikh is illiterate, has two wives and five children, and earns a living through apple cultivation in Shopian. An examination of his mobile phone showed old photographs of him visiting the Vaishno Devi shrine and temples in Mumbai. His bag contained only clothes, walnuts, and some papers, with no suspicious material.
Conclusion and Release
An officer privy to the probe noted that Sheikh entered the premises like any ordinary devotee, following protocol and without carrying any suspicious objects. "Later, while returning near the southern circumambulatory corridor close to Sita Rasoi, some devotees told us that he was offering namaz, but when CCTVs were checked, nothing objectionable was found," the officer said.
With all formalities completed and no grounds for further detention, officials stated that Sheikh's family, who had also traveled from Shopian, would take him back. He is scheduled to be handed over to them on Monday, closing the case that highlighted the temple's stringent security protocols and subsequent verification processes.
