SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Mar 4: The Deoghar Deputy Development Commissioner (DDC) submitted his probe report to the Deputy Commissioner (DC) over the alleged misbehaviour with Barkagaon Congress MLA Amba Prasad on Mahashivratri (March 1).
A senior official of the Deoghar district administration today admitted that DDC Kumar Tarachandra (IAS) submitted his probe report on Thursday evening to DC Manjunath Bhajantri. However, the official refused to share the findings saying that it is a confidential official document.
On Mahashivratri, Barkagaon MLA Amba Prasad was allegedly stopped at the VIP gate of Babadham temple by the temple management officials when she had gone there with family members and staff to offer Puja to Lord Shiva.
Taking the matter seriously, the Deoghar DC had set up a committee under the DDC for probe on March 2 and directed him to submit a report in 48 hours.
The official said that the DDC took the statement of MLA Amba Prasad about the incident, recorded the version of officers on duty, temple staff and viewed the CCTV footage in course of his investigation.
In the meantime, DC Manjunath Bhajantri has discharged the chief manager of temple management Ramesh Parihast from officiating the responsibility for the time being.
Notably, Ramesh Parihast had been the manager of the Shrine Board since 2005 and was made the chief manager in 2017 by the Santhal Pargana Divisional Commissioner.
Parihast has been the centre of controversy after the alleged misbehaviour incident with the MLA. Even the Panda Dharmrakshni Samaj had demanded his immediate removal from the post.
However, Ramesh Parihast has denied any misbehaviour with the MLA and said that she and her 15 members worshipped smoothly in the temple.
Panda Dharmrakshni Sabha president Suresh Bhardwaj has demanded a ban on VIP Puja on special occasions. “We also urge that VIPs do not come on such days as VIP for Puja and if they need it, they should come as general devotees,” he told the media persons.
