Hyderabad man arrested for desecrating idol in temple was self-radicalised: Police

Hyderabad: The Hyderabad police alleged that the 30-year-old engineering graduate, who was arrested for desecrating an idol at a temple on October 14, was self-radicalised.

Salman Salim Thakur alias Salman entered the sanctum-sanctorum of Muthyalamma temple in Secunderabad early on Monday and desecrated the main idol of the temple, triggering protests by local people, Hindu outfits and the BJP.

Angered by the "provocative and mischievous" act, some local residents thrashed the accused.

The police took the accused into custody and shifted him to a hospital.

The accused is under treatment for internal injuries and his condition remains serious, police said, adding an FIR was registered against him under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

“He is active on social media. We got information (about him watching videos of Naik and other Islamic preachers) after analysing his mobile phone and his social media (activities),” a police official said.

He became "self-radicalised and developed a radical mindset and hatred" towards the practices of other religions like idolatry, it said.

The Maharashtra Police have booked him earlier for his alleged involvement of damaging idols in Mumbai.

Earlier this month, Salman came to Hyderabad to attend a month-long personality development workshop, police said.

It was found that a hotel's premises were rented illegally for running the academic course which has no formal permission, and necessary legal action is being taken up against the management in this regard, they added.

PTI