Temple demolition: Case against Minister's son, 2 others

Bellary, Sep 6 (UNI) A temple priest has alleged that three persons, including M P Ravinder, son of Karnataka Home Minister M P Prakash, were behind the recent demolition of the Sugulamma temple located in a mining area, bordering Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

In his complaint to the police yesterday, V Reddy Nayak, a resident of D.Hirehal mandalam of Rayadurg taluk, has also named Kurugodu legislator N Suryanarayana Reddy and mine owner S K Modi, besides Mr Ravinder.

He said the temple was located near BIOP, one of the three mining lands owned by Modi and claimed that the latter in connivance with Mr Suryanarayana Reddy and Mr Ravindra had been trying to excavate ore in the temple land, rich in iron ore deposits.

Besides Modi also had 50 per cent share in the Y M Mines and Black Gold Mines located in the area. As the demolition of the temple would benefit him, he had de-structured it with the help of the goondas of Mr Suryanarayana Reddy and Ravindra, he charged. Nayak said he had gone to the temple at 0530 hrs on Sunday last to perform pooja and was shocked to find that the temple had been razed to the ground. He had also seen a few cars leaving the area and one belonging to BIOP parked at the site.

He said fearing for his life he had not approached the police immediately.

On Sunday last, people from surrounding villages of Bellary taluk had filed a case against suspended BJP member G Janardhana Reddy, MLC, and Ramachandra Reddy holding them responsible for the demolition.

According to sources an estimated five lakh tonnes of 64 grade iron ore was available in the area and the temple was proving to be one of the major obstacles to take up excavation.

Meanwhile, Bellary Deputy Commissioner Arvind Srivastav has instructed all departments concerned to verify the jurisdiction of the temple. As the border between the two states was yet to established, it was difficult to demarcate the area for the purpose of initiating action against the accused.

Mr Srivastav and Superintendent of Police Amrit Paul also visited the temple site.

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