Kota: Mahant Devanand Maharaj of the historic Chandresal Math in Kota, Rajasthan, was brutally murdered by a group of unidentified men late on Friday night.
The murder of the senior monk, who had been managing the spiritual affairs of the revered, centuries-old monastery under the Borkheda police jurisdiction, has sparked grief and outrage in the region.
Preliminary investigation has revealed that the attack was well planned. The killers took advantage of the peace and quiet of the surroundings and entered the monastery complex undetected.
The miscreants reportedly locked the doors of the resident priest’s room from the outside to prevent any immediate interference, before storming the Mahant’s chamber.
The murderers then attacked the monk with knives and other sharp-edged weapons. Monastery attendants (sevadars) and nearby villagers rushed to the scene on hearing the Mahant’s desperate cries for help.
However, by the time they managed to force their way into the room, the attackers had fled into the dark, as reported by Republic TV.
A large police contingent from the Borkheda police station rushed to the monastery and Mahant Devanand Maharaj was rushed to the Maharao Bhimsingh (MBS) Hospital.
He could not be saved though due to heavy blood loss. The body has been sent for autopsy.
Known for his calm demeanour and spiritual focus, the Mahant is not known to have harboured any personal enmities. The motive behind the crime is not known.
Specialised units have been deployed by the Kota SP to probe the case from several critical angles.
The police are verifying whether property disputes or external land mafias played a role, given the high value and historical significance of the monastery’s land holdings.
The temples at the monastery has architecture dating back to the 10-12th Century and it is now a protected monument.
Investigators are also digging into old acquaintances to rule out hidden animosities.
It is also being probed whether the attackers initially broke in with the intention of dacoity and resorted to murder when the Mahant resisted.
Forensic experts and specialised dog squads have been combing the Math premises ever since the murder. Fingerprints, weapon strike samples, and other trace physical evidence have been collected from the blood-stained room, officials said.
The dog squads were utilised to map the perpetrators’ escape route through the surrounding rural fields and roads.
Residents, alongside various religious and social organisations, have strongly condemned the attack on a respected spiritual leader within a sacred place.
Many have wanted to know why the administration did not provide protection to such an important site.
Senior officials have urged the public to maintain peace and avoid spreading rumours, assuring that justice will be delivered swiftly.
