Raipur
Mungeli police have arrested a 35-year-old man for allegedly burning a Jaitstambh, a sacred religious structure, in Jhajhpuri village. The incident, which occurred on the intervening night of 16 and 17 January 2026, had caused tension in the area.
Following the report filed by Angad Anchal (37), a resident of Jhajhpuri Kala, Lormi police registered a case under sections 298 and 326 (g) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Mungeli Superintendent of Police Bhojram Patel directed a specialized team to probe the matter, led by Additional SP Navneet Kaur Chhabra and Deputy SPs Navneet Patil and Harvinder Singh.
The investigation involved forensic examination of the site and a review of CCTV footage from a nearby medical store. Witnesses identified a suspect seen leaving the spot based on his physical appearance and clothing. The police subsequently detained Rajesh Kumar Sahu, son of the late Daulal Sahu.
During interrogation, Sahu confessed to the crime. He claimed he was disgruntled after being allegedly assaulted by some members of the Satnami community during a Jayanti programme for being in an inebriated state. Police have seized kerosene, matches, and the clothes used by the accused during the commission of the offence.
The arrest comes before the expiry of a three-day ultimatum issued by members of the Satnami community on social media. SP Bhojram Patel has appealed to the public to maintain social harmony and warned of strict action against anti-social elements attempting to hurt religious sentiments.
The accused was produced before a local court on 20 January 2026 and sent to judicial remand. The police team involved in the breakthrough included Lormi SHO Akhilesh Kumar Vaishnav, Cyber Cell In-charge Prasad Sinha, and Chilpi SHO Raghuveer Chandra.
