A 35-year-old mahant (head priest) of the ancient Chandrasel Math in Kota was brutally murdered late Friday night under the Borkheda police station limits. The deceased, identified as Devanand Van, was stabbed 26 times by unidentified assailants. He was rushed to MBS Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries during treatment.
Protest Over Delayed Arrests
Following the killing, a group of sadhus, saints, family members, and disciples of the deceased staged a dharna outside the MBS Hospital mortuary. They refused to take the body for last rites and demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible. No arrests have been made so far.
Kota Superintendent of Police Tejeshwani Gautam stated, "Police have detained five to seven suspects for interrogation, and a case of murder has been registered." Senior officials reached the hospital and held talks with the protesters.
Motive: Land Dispute Over Math Property
According to the preliminary investigation, past enmity linked to a dispute over the math's land is the possible motive behind the murder. DSP Rudrapratap Sharma said the assailants entered the Chandrasel Math around midnight on Friday. They locked one of the two priests present in a room before attacking the mahant with a knife. Police were informed around 12:30 a.m. Saturday.
Investigators believe a dispute over ownership of the trust associated with the math and the post of head priest is the prime motive. The deceased mahant was a resident of Sawai Madhopur and had moved to Chandrasel Math four years ago.
Demands Met: SIT Formed, Fast-Track Trial
Late Saturday night, Kota Additional SP Subash Chandra Mishra confirmed that the deceased mahant's family and protesting sadhus agreed to receive the body after police agreed to three key demands: forming a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case, bringing it under the Case Officer Scheme (where a dedicated officer monitors the case), and ensuring a fast-track trial.
Kota Additional Divisional Magistrate Vinod Kumar Malhotra said, "The body has been handed over for last rites to family members, who made no demands for monetary compensation."
