Man arrested for offering blood at Sohna temple

The police arrested a man for offering blood to an idol of Durga at a temple in Kherla village in Sohna, about 23 km from Gurgaon.

The police arrested a man for offering blood to an idol of Durga at a temple in Kherla village in Sohna, about 23 km from Gurgaon.

The police arrested a man for offering blood to an idol of Durga at a temple in Kherla village in Sohna, about 23 km from Gurgaon.. (Representative photo)

Wakil Khan, 30, was arrested on Wednesday on the 7charges of promoting enmity on religious grounds and hurting religious feelings.

Sources said the matter could have taken a communal colour had the police not arresting the man.

“The temple priest noticed Wakil offering blood to the goddess’ idol on Tuesday and alerted the villagers. The man tried from escape but his bike did not start and the villagers nabbed him,” said Kherla sapranch Narender Raghav.

Raghav said about 10 days ago, the head of an animal was found at the temple altar and two days later blood was found near the idol. Following this, the priest, Mahant Munishanand, started keeping a watch to see who was offering blood. He noticed Khan on Tuesday noon and alerted the local residents.

A father of two sons and a daughter, Khan is a native of Mathura and had been living with his family at Kherla for the past several years.

Khan reportedly told the police that he was appeasing the goddess for her “blessings”. The villagers, however, claimed that he was trying to desecrate the temple.