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Mentally unstable man vandalises Rajghat

A mentally unbalanced man, claiming to be the reincarnation of Mahatma Gandhi, damaged Rajghat, the samadhi of the father of the nation, in the wee hours of the morning on Friday.

Before Rajballabh could be arrested, he had caused substantial damage to the central structure of the samadhi. He was successful in removing a stone from the corner and breaking the glass put up to protect the flame. Besides, he also damaged the samadhi at three or four other places.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Ajay Kashyap said the incident took place at around two o'clock in the morning. Under Sections 427 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code, a case for indulging in mischievous acts has been registered against Rajballabh, who claimed the samadhi should not have been constructed because he was Gandhi and he was 'still alive'.

Rajballabh has already served a six-and-a-half months sentence for committing a similar offence on December 11 last year. He completed his sentence on June 26.

Kashyap said there are six security men, appointed by the Gandhi Smriti Sansthan, on duty at Rajghat every night. Yesterday, there were only two guards and Rajballabh must have taken advantage of that situation.

On being challenged by the two security men, Rajballabh threatened to attack them with a sickle and hammer. The security men then called two more people and, after finding himself outnumbered, the accused tried to run away. However, he was unsuccessful in his attempt and was caught by a patrol of the Delhi police who happened to be outside Rajghat at the moment.

UNI

EARLIER FEATURE:
'They are totally ignoring the samadhi.'

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