Kota (Rajasthan), June 26: Police have intensified their investigation into the murder of Devanand Maharaj, the head priest of the historic Chandrasal Math in Rajasthan’s Kota district, with officials alleging that a long-running dispute over the monastery’s land and management was the primary motive behind the killing.
The 35-year-old priest was found with multiple stab wounds outside the monastery on the night of June 5. He was rushed to hospital but succumbed to his injuries. The brutal murder had triggered protests by saints and local residents, who demanded swift action against those responsible.
Eight Arrested in the Case
Investigators have arrested eight people in connection with the murder, including another priest associated with the Math, a lawyer linked to an ongoing civil dispute, four alleged contract killers, a minor, and a security guard accused of helping destroy evidence.
Police said the four men allegedly hired to carry out the attack were paid ₹1 lakh to execute the murder. Authorities are continuing to question the accused to determine the role of each individual in the conspiracy.
Land and Trust Dispute Under Scanner
The investigation has brought renewed attention to a long-standing dispute over control of the Chandrasal Math, a monastery believed to date back nearly a thousand years. The institution reportedly owns around 345 bighas of land, making its administration and trust management a matter of significant financial and legal interest.
Police believe disagreements over the succession of the head priest and control of the trust escalated over the past few years. Documents and witness statements related to the property dispute are now being examined as part of the investigation.
Planned Attack, Say Investigators
According to the investigation, the attackers allegedly entered the monastery late at night after locking another priest inside a room. Devanand Maharaj was then attacked repeatedly with sharp-edged weapons before the assailants fled the scene.
Forensic teams collected evidence from the monastery, while CCTV footage from nearby areas and mobile phone records are being analysed to reconstruct the sequence of events.
Religious Community Demanded Swift Justice
The murder sparked widespread anger among religious leaders and devotees across Rajasthan. Soon after the incident, saints staged protests outside the hospital mortuary and refused to perform the last rites until police assured them that the culprits would be arrested and the case would be investigated by a Special Investigation Team (SIT).
Following the arrests, authorities assured the community that the investigation would continue until every person involved in the conspiracy is identified.
Investigation Continues
Police officials said financial transactions, property records, and communication between the accused are being scrutinised to establish the complete conspiracy behind the murder. Additional arrests have not been ruled out if new evidence emerges during the investigation.
Security has also been strengthened around the Chandrasal Math to prevent any further law-and-order issues while the investigation progresses.
Source: The Indian Express
Original Report:
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/death-of-a-priest-by-26-stab-wounds-row-over-10th-century-maths-land-under-spotlight-10757939/
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