Grief Over Infant's Death Triggers Hanuman Statue Vandalism

In the Balhya hamlet of Seoni district, a grieving grandfather allegedly damaged a revered Hanuman idol after his one‑month‑old grandson died of pneumonia. The child had been admitted to the district hospital ICU on July 4 and, despite family prayers and a vow to host a temple feast upon recovery, passed away on the following Monday night.

The accused, identified as 56‑year‑old Ramabhushan Dwivedi, visited the ancestral Hanuman temple the next morning. Police reports state that he broke the statue and then remained seated nearby, visibly shaken.

Neighbors who observed the broken murti reported the incident to the authorities. Officers arrived promptly, secured the scene, and recorded oral testimonies from several villagers.

Senior officer Puspender Singh described the suspect as being in a state of deep shock, suggesting the act stemmed from emotional turmoil rather than pre‑meditation. The matter has been registered under IPC sections 298 and 299, which criminalise actions intended to offend religious sentiments.

The damaged idol has been removed from the shrine, and the police confirm that the situation in Balhya remains peaceful while the investigation proceeds.