Overview
- Officers used footage from cameras near Kapileswar Ghat, since the vandalised spot lacked surveillance, to identify and arrest a resident of Thotapeta on Wednesday.
- Preliminary questioning indicates a personal dispute with priest K. Suri Babu over rituals and drainage works rather than an organised communal plan.
- Police say the Lingam by the temple pond was struck with a hammer-like tool and the attacker left on a two-wheeler before being tracked down by special teams.
- A case has been registered under Sections 298 and 324(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, with the suspect’s name reported with varying spellings across outlets as Srinivas.
- A new Shiva Lingam was consecrated the same day to calm unrest, and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu directed tighter temple security and closer coordination among police, endowments and archaeology officials.