Puja Timing Argument Turns Ugly, Two Men Booked For Alleged Death Threats In Ahmedabad's Ramji Temple

A visit to a temple in Ahmedabad’s old city allegedly turned into a heated confrontation after a dispute over the timing of puja, with a physiotherapist claiming he was threatened with broken limbs and being hanged with a rope.

A 58-year-old physiotherapist, Shaolin Harivadan Lee, approached Khadia Police alleging that a disagreement at Ramji Temple in Mandvi Pol on August 28 escalated into a confrontation involving two men.

According to the complaint, Rakeshbhai Rawal, a resident of Ghodasar-Isanpur, arrived at the temple around 4.15pm. Lee told police that he informed Rawal that devotees were required to come for worship during the aarti.

The conversation allegedly soon turned into an argument, with Rawal reportedly shouting at people present at the temple.

Dispute Over Puja Allegedly Escalates Into Threats

According to the complaint, Rawal allegedly threatened to call people and warned that he would break the hands and legs of those present.

The complaint further alleges that after taking darshan around five minutes later, Rawal threatened to hang Lee and others with a rope.

Lee also named another man, identified only as Darshan, alleging that both men threatened to kill him and others and created fear among residents of the area.

Physiotherapist Says He Knew One Of The Accused

Lee, who lives alone and works as a physiotherapist from home, told police that he knew Rawal because Rawal’s elder brother lives in the neighbourhood. He also said Rawal frequently visits the temple for worship.

The complaint was filed at Khadia Police Station on September 30, following which police registered a case and began investigating the allegations.

What began, according to the complaint, as a disagreement over the timing of puja has now turned into a police case, with investigators examining the alleged threats and the involvement of both men.