Hyderabad police have swiftly arrested a suspect accused of vandalizing the Maisamma Temple (also referred to as Puranapul Darwaza Mysamma Temple) in the Old City area. The incident occurred late on January 14, 2026, when the individual entered the temple premises and partially damaged a flex banner along with a small Plaster of Paris (POP) idol placed in the verandah. Using CCTV footage and technical leads, authorities traced and detained the accused within 24 hours on January 15, preventing further escalation.

The vandalism triggered immediate tension in the Puranapul area, with a mob gathering at the site leading to clashes. Protesters reportedly attacked police personnel, injuring several officers, and vandalized a nearby religious structure belonging to another community. Hyderabad police registered two separate cases under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act—one for the temple damage and another for the subsequent violence. The situation has now been brought under control with heavy security deployment.

Telangana BJP President N Ramchander Rao visited the temple and strongly condemned the act, describing it as part of a “disturbing pattern” of repeated attacks on Hindu temples in the state since the Congress Government came to power. He demanded a thorough, impartial investigation to uncover any organized elements behind these incidents and called for strict action against those responsible. Rao highlighted that this was the second such case in recent days, following a prior desecration at the Katta Maisamma Temple in Safilguda, and urged authorities to address the rising concerns over temple safety.

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The swift arrest has been praised for restoring calm, but the BJP’s push for a broader probe has intensified political debates in Telangana. As investigations continue, the episode underscores growing sensitivities around religious sites in Hyderabad’s diverse Old City, with calls for preventive measures to avoid future communal flare-ups.

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