Puttur Temple Committee Officials Face Police Case Over Alleged Illegal Demolition
In a significant development in Puttur, Karnataka, the town police have formally registered a criminal case against office-bearers of the Puttur Mahaligheshwara Temple committee. The case centers on allegations that these individuals illegally demolished a private building located on a main road in Puttur.
Complaint Details and Police Action
According to police reports, the case was initiated based on a complaint filed by Dr. Aravind Rao Kedige, a resident of Kadri Hills in Mangaluru. The complaint, submitted on April 17, alleges that on the night of April 14, Eshwar Bhat Panjigudde and other temple committee members unlawfully entered Dr. Kedige's old building and land. The complainants assert that the group proceeded to demolish the structure without proper authorization.
The Puttur town police station has registered the case under specific legal sections:
- Section 329(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
- Section 324(2) of the BNS
- Section 3(5) of the BNS
Authorities have confirmed that an investigation is currently underway to examine the circumstances surrounding the demolition and verify the claims made in the complaint.
MLA's Defense Citing Devotee Convenience
In response to the allegations, Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai, who maintains close associations with the temple, has offered a different perspective. MLA Rai explained that the demolition was carried out to enhance convenience for devotees attending the temple's annual festival.
"It is an annual ritual where the deities Ullalthi and Mahalingeshwara meet during festivals," stated MLA Rai. "The road where this meeting ritual occurs was excessively narrow, posing safety concerns. There exists a court order mandating the vacation of the old building near this road, but the concerned authorities failed to execute it."
The MLA emphasized repeated requests to vacate the building, highlighting that the festival attracts between 30,000 to 40,000 devotees annually. "Providing adequate facilities for such large gatherings is our responsibility," he added, referencing the tragic Bengaluru cricket stampede as a cautionary example of overcrowding dangers.
Ongoing Investigation and Legal Implications
The case presents a complex intersection of property rights, religious practices, and public safety. While the temple committee and associated MLA argue the demolition was necessary for devotee welfare and festival logistics, the property owner maintains it was an illegal act of trespass and destruction.
Police officials have not commented on the validity of the court order mentioned by MLA Rai, stating only that their investigation will consider all evidence and legal aspects. The outcome of this case could set important precedents regarding property disputes involving religious institutions in Karnataka.
Local residents and legal observers are closely monitoring developments, as the investigation progresses amid contrasting narratives from the complainant and temple representatives.
