Girnar temple idol desecration: Priest and photographer arrested for ‘publicity stunt’

Junagadh police have arrested a temple priest and a shopkeeper, who also worked as a photographer, for their role in Girnar temple vandalism at the Gorakhnath Shikhar temple. Both confessed to planning the incident to gain attention and attract more devotees.

Using an iron rod, the duo broke the temple glass, tampered with the lock, and threw the approximately 50-kg Gorakhnath idol into the valley. Forensic analysis confirmed that the idol could not have been removed through the broken glass alone, which became a crucial clue for investigators.

Specialised police teams probe Junagadh temple crime

The vandalism drew nationwide attention, prompting Junagadh police to deploy SOG, LCB, and other specialised teams. Investigators analysed CCTV footage, suspects’ mobile phones, and conducted a detailed inspection of the temple premises.

Authorities discovered one side of the temple glass broken and the lock tampered with. The fact that the idol could not pass through the broken glass became a key lead, guiding the subsequent investigation into the Gorakhnath idol desecration.

Confessions reveal motive behind Girnar temple vandalism

Ramesh Hargovind Bhatt, 50, a photographer with a shop near the temple, initially tried to mislead police but later admitted his involvement. Temple priest Kishore Shivnandas Kukreja, who had been serving as a salaried priest for over two years and allegedly skimmed donations, was also questioned.

Junagadh SP Subodh Odedra said Kukreja confessed that he staged the act to attract attention to the temple and himself. He believed that social media and press coverage would boost the temple’s visibility and draw more devotees, indirectly benefiting him.

Detailed planning and execution uncovered

During interrogation, Bhatt revealed that Kukreja shared his plan to stage a major incident. On October 4, after the evening aarti, Kukreja took Bhatt near the temple. While Bhatt watched, Kukreja struck the glass two to three times with an iron rod, later returning it to his room.

Kukreja then returned with a key, opened the lock, and together they lifted the idol—Kukreja holding the lower part and Bhatt the upper—and carried it to the edge of the temple wall before throwing it into the valley. When Bhatt asked the reason, Kukreja told him to feign ignorance and said he would report the idol stolen the next morning. Bhatt confessed all details to police.

Investigation highlights careful deception

Kukreja had accompanied police during earlier inspections, trying to appear innocent. Police were initially suspicious but lacked concrete evidence. Through careful investigation, authorities eventually pieced together the sequence of events behind the Junagadh temple crime.

Bhatt, a resident of Murlidhar Apartments, Madhuram, Junagadh, and Kukreja, priest at Gorakhnath Shikhar, have been arrested for further action.