Arjun Munda Slams Jharkhand over Temple Guard Murder in Ranchi

Ex-CM Condemns Killing at Jagannath Temple, Questions State’s Law and Order

Key Points:

• Arjun Munda condemns brutal murder of Jagannath Temple guard in Ranchi
• Thieves broke donation box, looted cash; four suspects held for questioning
• CCTV footage aids probe; Ranchi SSP Rakesh Ranjan inspects crime scene

RANCHI – Former Chief Minister and ex-Union Minister Arjun Munda has sharply condemned the killing of a security guard at the Jagannath Temple in Ranchi, calling it a reflection of a collapsed law and order system in the state.

In a series of posts on X on Friday, April 24, Munda described the murder of the guard at the sanctum sanctorum of the temple as “extremely condemnable.” He posted at 11:44 AM, expressing deep concern over the prevailing security situation in Jharkhand.

The former Chief Minister highlighted that highly sensitive establishments were situated close to the temple. He pointed out that the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly and the Jharkhand High Court both stand in the same proximity.

“Where claims of tight security are made at every turn, not even a single guard is safe,” he wrote. He questioned how ordinary citizens could trust the system in such a situation.

Meanwhile, Munda remarked that the state’s security apparatus appeared to have turned into a mere show. “On the ground, reality tells a very different story,” he wrote. He added that even a sacred place like a temple was no longer safe in the state.

The crime itself took place late at night at the historic temple in Ranchi. According to investigators, the temple premises were locked from inside. However, ongoing construction work at the rear of the building provided a point of entry for the intruder.

A ladder at the construction site is believed to have helped the accused gain access. He allegedly attacked and killed the guard before proceeding to break open the donation box and steal the cash kept inside.

On the other hand, police reacted swiftly once the crime was reported. Ranchi SSP Rakesh Ranjan reached the spot and personally supervised the inspection of the crime scene along with other senior officers.

CCTV footage from inside the temple complex proved to be a key breakthrough. The footage captured a suspicious individual moving inside the premises. Technical teams have since been assigned to enhance the footage for clearer identification of the accused.

Moreover, preliminary findings suggest only one person carried out the entire operation. However, police stated that no angle was being ruled out and that all leads were being investigated thoroughly.

Four suspects are currently in custody for interrogation. Police teams have been conducting raids across different zones in the city. A police source said the investigation was progressing at a fast pace. “We are close to identifying the main accused,” the source said.

The case has been registered under sections pertaining to murder and robbery. In addition, authorities assured that the arrest of the accused was imminent.

The incident has reignited concerns about law enforcement in Jharkhand, with violent incidents being reported from across the state in recent weeks. Munda’s intervention has added a political dimension to a crime that has already shocked the state’s political circles.