39-Year-Old Man Arrested for Throwing Petrol Bomb at Sri Veerabhadra Swamy Temple

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Title: Man Arrested for Throwing Petrol Bomb at Chennai Temple

Introduction:
A 39-year-old man has been apprehended by the Greater Chennai Police (GCP) after he allegedly threw a petrol bomb at a temple situated near Parrys corner in the northern part of the city. The incident, which occurred around 8:45 am, has raised concerns about the safety of religious institutions and the overall law-and-order situation in Tamil Nadu.

The Attack:
According to the police, the accused, identified as J MuraliKrishanan, entered the Sri Veerabhadra Swamy temple at the Athiyappa street-Govindappa Naicken Street Junction and hurled a bottle filled with petrol at the deity inside the temple. Fortunately, no one was injured as the temple priest and other worshippers were sitting outside at the time of the incident. However, the flowers offered to the deity were burnt.

Eyewitness Testimony:
Umachandran, the temple priest, provided an account of the incident, stating that the accused entered the temple wearing slippers and approached the garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum), shouting that his prayers had gone unanswered. He then lit a bottle-like object with a lighter and threw it towards the deity. The sound of the explosion prompted everyone present to rush inside and extinguish the flames with water.

Arrest and Motive:
Upon receiving information from the public, the police swiftly arrived at the scene and arrested the accused. Following the incident, the temple was temporarily closed. Sources indicate that MuraliKrishanan, who ran a wholesale and retail dry fruit business, had suffered a setback in his personal life and was unable to cope with the situation. Investigations suggest that his mental state, likely exacerbated by heavy intoxication, led to this act of vandalism.

CCTV Footage:
The CCTV footage, which captured the accused pouring petrol into a beer bottle while seated inside a tea shop and wearing a face mask, has gone viral on social media. This evidence has played a crucial role in identifying and apprehending the suspect.

Law Enforcement Response:
The police have registered a case against MuraliKrishanan under the Explosive Substances Act. They are currently conducting a thorough investigation to gather additional evidence and determine the full extent of his involvement in the incident. It has been revealed that the accused had a history of previous criminal cases and was a regular visitor to the temple.

Political Reaction:
Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai criticized the ruling DMK government, holding them responsible for the deteriorating law-and-order situation in the state. He stated that the government’s failure to prevent separatist organizations promoting pseudo-secularism and atheism has now resulted in petrol bombs being hurled at places of worship.

Conclusion:
The arrest of the 39-year-old man for throwing a petrol bomb at a temple in Chennai has sparked concerns about religious security and the overall safety of citizens in Tamil Nadu. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining law and order and implementing effective measures to prevent such acts of violence and vandalism. The police investigation will shed further light on the motives behind this shocking incident..