B'luru man held for toppling pillars at Hampi monument

A Bengaluru-based chef Nagaraj was detained by Bengaluru police after accidentally brought down two pillars while taking a selfie at Vijaya Vittala temple in Hampi. He was charged under sections of the Ancient Monument and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958.

Bellary:A 45-year-old man was detained by Bengaluru police after he allegedly brought down two pillars while taking a selfie at Vijaya Vittala temple in Hampi.

The Bengaluru-based chef Nagaraj was sent to judicial custody after officials of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) lodged a complaint with the Hampi police station.

Reportedly, Nagaraj, a resident of Avalahalli in Bengaluru, was in Hampi with his friends on Wednesday. He was taking a selfie when he had accidentally brought down two pillars at the Saalu Mantapa outside the Vijaya Vittala temple.

Hampi Deputy SP Simi Mariam George said, "Nagaraj committed the mistake without knowing the importance of Hampi monuments."

Nagaraj was charged under sections of the Ancient Monument and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958.

A few months back, four men were arrested for vandalising stone pillars at a temple in Hampi.