Puri: The accused in the case of vandalism in the kitchen (Rosa Ghara) of Lord Jagannath Temple here was forwarded to the court on Wednesday. While being taken to the court by Singhadwara police, the accused, Jagan Mohapatra (30), a resident of Khurda district said that he is an ardent devotee of Lord Jagannath.
“There is nothing particular about this incident. It just came to my mind to damage the chullahs (clay ovens), and I did that. I am aggrieved with the inequity in food distribution in the society. This could have triggered my action that (Saturday) night,” said Mohapatra, who worked as a Electrical Lineman for about 10 years.
According to reports, Mohapatra also worked as a priest in his village, and was reportedly mentally unstable. Mohapatra was detained and subsequently arrested on Tuesday on the basis of CCTV footage, said SP KV Singh. Mohapatra was produced in a local court which sent him in 14-day judicial custody.
“After offering prayers during the Bada Singhara Besha, I stayed inside the temple. There is so much food in one place, whereas in other places, people do not have anything to eat. Food is littered here and there on the temple premises, it is sad to see devotees stepping on Mahaprasad,” he added.
