Hanuman statue: Organisers booked for damaging public property

The members of the trust who proposed to install 62-feet-tall Hanuman statue at the Kodandarama Temple in Kacharakanahalli were booked for damaging public property and violation of rules.

The statue was brought to Kacharakanahalli from Byrasandra in Kolar district. On Monday, drains were filled to facilitate the movement of the vehicle transporting the statue and dividers along the road in HBR Layout were removed.

Jagadeesh, Assistant Commissioner, Bengaluru North Sub-division, who came to the spot following a tip-off, questioned the organisers for damaging the public property without taking permission.

"Officials should be informed about such transport plans. The damage to the public property is a violation of rules," he said.

However, the organisers were in no mood to listen and started to argue with Jagadeesh. Some of the residents of the area also joined the organisers and started shouting slogans. They alleged the officials were acting under pressure from Bengaluru Development Minister K J George.

Tension gripped the area for a while and it took some time for the police to restore calm, following which the statue was taken to the designated place.

"The vehicle carrying the statue is 26-feet long and weighs about 750 tonnes. Many rules have been violated while transporting the statue. Officials have been abused and obstructed from carrying out their duty. Jagadeesh filed a complaint in this regard," the police said.

The police said a First Information Report has been registered against the trust members - BBMP opposition leader Padmanabha Reddy, Jagadish Reddy, M N Reddy and Gopala Reddy and several others.

Code violated

Earlier, the police had stopped the transportation of the statue at Dandupallya, citing a violation of poll code of conduct. However, following protests against the move, the vehicle was released.

However, the vehicle could not cross the railway bridge on Hennur-Bagalur Road. A ramp was used to facilitate the movement of the vehicle.

The statue is being installed by Sri Rama Chaitanya Vardhini Trust.