After inciting national furore over vandalising pillars at the ancient Vishnu temple complex in Hampi; the four miscreants were finally brought to justice. Ayush from Madhya Pradesh, Raja Babu Chowdary, Raj Aryan and Rajesh Kumar Chowdary from Bihar toiled as they re-erected the fallen pillars prior to their release.
The JMFC court in Hosapete fined them Rs 70,000 each in addition to demanding that they right their wrongs before judge Poornima Yadav relented and let them go.
Additional Public Prosecutor Geetha Mirajkar shared with New Indian Express that the four were led to the temple site where they re-erected the pillars, weighing tonnes. This was done as officials of the Archaeological Survey of India and Hampi police looked on.
Mirajkar added that they remained in custody till February 13. They were earlier apprehended on February 8 and booked under the Ancient Monument and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.
“The maximum punishment for the act is two years imprisonment or fine up to Rs 1 lakh. Offenders will have to serve the jail term if they are unable to pay the fine. The judge ordered them to pay the fine and they were released after they re-erected the pillar,” Mirajkar said.
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Soon after the vandalism, ASI reinforced security measures to avert such incidents in future. Kalimuthu, Deputy Superintending Archeologist of Hampi Mini Circle also revealed that 15 CCTV cameras are to be set up at crucial points in the temple complex.
Do you believe they got off easy or was justice served? Tell us in the comments!