Dhanusha District Police on Monday filed a case at the district court against 10 individuals for their alleged involvement in vandalism at Janaki Temple during the visit of President Bidya Devi Bhandari.

 The district court began hearings on the case from Monday.

The accused faces charges of barging into the Temple, hurling stones and vandalising the Garbhagriha temple during President Bhandari’s visit at the temple to attend the Ram-Janaki Bibaha Mahatsov on Dec 16.

They have been charge sheeted under Historic Monument Protection Act 2013 BS.

Shila Devi, of Janakpur-4, Ashok Kumar Prashaila, of Dhanushadham-6, Bimala Sah, of Giddha-8 Belapati, Bivek Chandra Chaudhari, of Janakpur-6, Sarita Devi, of Janakpur-6, Ramji Raya, of Janakpur-6, and Sita Chaudhari, 35, of Janakpur-8 have been charge sheeted. 

Of the accused, Shila Devi and Prasaila have been detained by police. Most of those accused are the leaders of parties aligned with the agitating Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM).

Meanwhile, a meeting of SLMM concluded that the police move to file the charge-sheet is a premeditated attempt to foil the agitation at a time when the talks with the movement is on the verge of ending. The Morcha leaders have warned of resorting to stern protest against the police action.

“Police has tried to attack the morale of Morcha demonstrators. We will resort to stern protests if the chargers were not withdrawn,” said Dhanusha Chairman of Sadbhawana Party, Sanjaya Kumar Singh.