Mangaluru : The city police  arrested a person in connection with the case of damage to the glass casing around grotto at a prayer hall  St Joseph Vaz prayer centre at Panir in Ullal police limits.

This incident occurred five days before the Virat Hindu Samavesh of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. The police had then dismissed the incident as a “silly act by a mischievous person.”

Speaking to reporters here on Tuesday, Police Commissioner S. Murugan said the police worked on the clue of two persons being seen at the prayer hall hours before the incident. After interrogating the residents and making enquiries at nearby bars, the police suspected the incident to be the handiwork of Anand (30), a resident of Kinya village and his friend.

During questioning, Anand reportedly admitted to throwing stone at the glass casing. Anand, a painter by profession, was carrying out work at the prayer hall. Anand had left the work two weeks before the incident as he was not happy with the wages he was receiving. “Out of frustration he threw the stone,” Mr. Mururgan said and added he had come to the prayer hall after consuming alcohol along with his friend. “Anand’s friend, who has no role in the act, is the witness,” Mr. Murugan added.

Anand has been booked under Sections 427 (act of mischief) and 295 (destroying or defiling place of worship) of the Indian Penal Code. “We have a good case,” Mr. Murugan and added “that this is a random act has come true.” He complimented Assistant Commissioner of Police Kalyana Shetty R.R., Police Inspector Pavitrateja and other members of police team for the painstaking efforts put in to detect the case.