Mysore, 28th December 2022: On Tuesday evening, St Mary’s Church in Periyapatna town of Mysore was attacked by unidentified people. The police prima facie suspects theft as the motive but since a statue of baby Jesus has also been destroyed, they are looking into all possible angles.

Mysuru additional superintendent of police BN Nandini said, “this does not appear to be an attack on the church but the police investigation at this stage is probing all angles. The miscreants have not touched the 10-12 idols of Jesus and Mary in the church. They smashed the idol of baby Jesus while looking for money or other valuables.”

The incident occurred while the priest, had gone to Mysuru city which is a little over 50km away from Periyapatna after celebrating Christmas. When he returned on Tuesday evening, he found it wrecked.

Superintendent of Police Mysuru, Seema Latkar said, “prima facie it looks like a case of theft as the assailants took away the money and a collection box kept outside the church. We are scanning CCTV footage for clues.”

A first information report (FIR) has been registered under sections 295 A (deliberate acts intended to outrage religious feelings) and 380 (theft at a dwelling house) of the Indian Penal Code.