Guwahati: A man allegedly damaged a soldier’s memorial stone by setting it on fire while shooting an Instagram reel at the Vasai Fort in Maharashtra. Police announced on Thursday that a case had been filed against the man as a result.
A video of the incident went viral online and the accused was identified as Hashim Shaikh. According to a story in The Indian Express, he can be seen in the video using a chemical to carve the letter “S” onto the stone and then lighting it on fire while music is playing.
Officials of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) visited the scene and reported the accused to the Vasai police station on the basis of the video evidence.
The offender has been detained by the police in accordance with Section 30 (1) of the 1958 Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act.
As per media reports, the fort has reportedly been undergoing restoration work. Therefore, environmentalists have pushed the ASI to restrict shooting inside the fort’s boundaries.
The ASI has also posted a sign urging people not to do anything that will do so in an effort to deter individuals from damaging the monument.
Further investigation in connection with the matter is underway.