Puri: A Naga Sadhu was hospitalised after allegedly being assaulted by the personnel of Jagannath Temple Police (JTP) in Puri on Sunday.
The Sadhu, Vaishnav Puri, was admitted to the medicine ward of the district headquarters hospital.
According to sources, the sadhu was assaulted for allowing some devotees to have darshan of Rohini Kunda which is closed in view Covid-19.
“The JTP questioned who I am to remove the wooden planks from the Rohini Kunda and asked me to go to the garada (storeroom). When I resisted and questioned whether there is any warrant against me for any offence, they forcibly dragged me to garada and assaulted me,” Puri told from hospital bed.
“The JTP and Srimandir administration threatened me to leave Puri or face dire consequence. Narayan Dash, journalist and editor of Drusti had given me the identity card to report if there are any illegal activities in and around Srimandir. But, a woman personnel snatched away my mobile saying that you cannot shoot,” he added.
However, Puri SP and JTP refuted the allegations of assault. The SP alleged the Sadhu of breaching the laws of the temple.
“Despite restrictions, the sadhu was allowing some devotees to have darshan of Rohini Kunda which is closed in view Covid-19. He misbehaved with the police personnel when asked to stop. He was subsequently detained and now admitted to hospital,” the SP said.
The Sadhu was recently in news after his identity card as a news reporter had gone viral on the social media. The ID card mentioned him as the news reporter of Drusti, a 24X7 News & Entertainment channel and Sri Jagannath Temple and its surrounding as his covering areas.
He was also recently seen blaming the Gajapati district authority for alleged mismanagement of Mahendragiri.
Meanwhile, Singhadwar police released a statement in this regard and referred the sadhu as Tumba Nath Subudhi. "Based on the investigation till now and evidence gathered so far, Tumba Nath Subudhi has been placed under arrest and will be forwarded to court," the police said.
(Edited By Suryakant Jena)