Three minors, aged between four and five years, have been detained by Nalanda Police in connection with a vandalism incident inside a Shiva temple in Sherpur, Nalanda district, Bihar, officials confirmed on Sunday, 14 September 2025. The incident, which took place on Saturday, was captured on CCTV cameras installed on the temple premises.

What the CCTV Footage Showed

According to officials, the footage allegedly showed the children entering the temple premises, throwing stones and bricks at the structure, urinating near the Shivalinga, and using abusive language. Local resident Suraj Kumar said that when he arrived at the temple on Saturday, he found bricks and stones scattered across the premises. 'Later, when we checked the CCTV footage, we were shocked. Some children were seen throwing bricks and stones at the temple, urinating near the Shivalinga, and even using abusive language,' he said.

Suraj Kumar also alleged that pathways leading to the temple had been encroached upon, and that the closure of one road had made it difficult for devotees to access the temple. He claimed similar incidents had occurred at the same location in the past.

Community Response and Police Action

Locals maintained restraint following the discovery and chose to immediately alert the authorities rather than allow the situation to escalate — a decision officials acknowledged as significant in preserving communal harmony. Nalanda Police, after examining the CCTV footage, detained three children for questioning and registered an FIR on the basis of a written complaint submitted by applicant Aarav Raj. Further legal proceedings are currently underway.

To maintain law and order, magistrates, police officials, and additional personnel have been deployed in and around the temple premises. Officials stated that the situation in the area is currently normal and under control.

About the Temple

The Shiva temple is located in Ward No. 41 of the Bihar Sharif Assembly constituency. It was formally inaugurated by Bihar Sharif MLA Sunil Kumar on Mahashivratri this year, at a construction cost of ₹14,90,000. Regular prayers have been held every morning and evening since its inauguration. Officials noted that construction work at the temple is not yet complete and that a boundary wall has not been built, making it easier for unauthorised entry into the premises.

Temple priest Aman Kumar said, 'The area is predominantly Muslim, and we only have one temple in the area. Miscreants often gather there. The children deliberately threw stones at the temple gate and urinated inside. Thefts have also occurred at the temple before. These incidents continue to hurt the sentiments of local Hindu devotees.'

What Happens Next

Police have said they are keeping a close watch on the situation to prevent further escalation. Given that the detained individuals are minors, legal proceedings will follow applicable juvenile justice norms. Authorities have not ruled out examining the structural access issues at the temple — particularly the absence of a boundary wall — as a contributing factor that may need to be addressed to prevent recurrence.