One held for desecrating cross in Kalina

One person, Suresh Balaji Ghadge, was arrested by Vakola police on Wednesday on charges of desecrating a cross in Kalina.

The cross was desecrated in Vakola in the wee hours of the morning between 4.30-5.00 am.

The desecration of the cross took place in Kalina Big Gaothan in Kalina village. The accused had used paver blocks and damaged the statue of Jesus Christ.

Police officials told DNA that the cross was vandalised with the intent of theft, adding that one person had already been arrested. "The accused is a known thief and has several cases against him. We managed to identify him through CCTV cameras and quickly apprehended him," said Mahadeo Wavale, senior Police Inspector, Vakola police station. A case has been registered under section 295 of the IPC.

Agitated community members have written to Mumbai Police Commissioner Dattatray Padsalgikar, highlighting the number of desecrations in the city.