Murder accused roamed free despite 5 cases in Indore:Temple trustee had warned police a month before his murder

A major revelation has emerged in the murder of 70-year-old temple trustee Kailash Chandra Modi, who was beaten to death with sticks at the 150-year-old Baramattha Bagichi Shiv-Hanuman Temple in Indore’s Annapurna area. According to investigators and family members, Modi had submitted written complaints to police and administrative authorities about a month before the incident, warning that the temple’s watchman, Mukesh Sharma, could kill him. He accused Sharma of intimidation, attempting to illegally occupy temple property, and issuing death threats. However, no effective preventive action was allegedly taken. Modi was fatally assaulted inside the temple premises on the morning of June 16. Victim had alerted multiple authorities According to the family, Kailash Modi filed a formal complaint on May 13 with the Police Commissioner, District Collector, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), and the local Station House Officer. In his complaint, he alleged that Mukesh Sharma was trying to seize control of the temple premises through intimidation and had threatened him with serious consequences if he opposed those efforts. He warned authorities that the accused could kill him at any time. Relatives now argue that timely police action, especially considering the accused’s criminal history, could have prevented the murder. Murder accused had five criminal cases Police records show that the accused, Mukesh Sharma, son of Babulal Sharma, is a habitual offender. He has five criminal cases registered against him at Annapurna Police Station involving assault, criminal intimidation, illegal possession of weapons, and extortion. The murder investigation is also examining the complaints previously filed by the victim. Earlier assault in December 2025 Family members alleged that Sharma had long been attempting to establish control over the temple premises. They accused him of misbehaving with devotees, consuming alcohol on the premises, facilitating gambling activities, and engaging in obscene conduct. On December 8, 2025, while repair work was underway at the temple, Sharma allegedly tried to stop the work. When Kailash Modi objected, Sharma reportedly abused him and attacked him multiple times with a heavy plastic rod, striking his shoulder and lower back. Workers who intervened were also allegedly threatened. Modi sustained serious injuries and underwent medical treatment, following which an FIR was registered on December 11. Complaints continued despite earlier FIR Despite the case registered in December 2025, family members claim that no strict action was taken against the accused, who allegedly continued drinking and creating disturbances around the temple. On April 21, 2026, Kailash Modi approached the Collector’s public grievance hearing and sought police protection. In his written complaint, he alleged that Sharma had already encroached upon parts of the temple premises, misbehaved with devotees, and repeatedly threatened to kill him. He also stated that although several criminal cases had already been registered against Sharma, police had failed to act decisively. Further complaints to Police Commissioner and ACP After receiving no relief from the administration, Modi approached the Police Commissioner and the ACP of Annapurna on May 13 with another written complaint. He alleged illegal encroachment on temple land and claimed that gambling and other anti-social activities were being carried out on the premises. Modi wrote that the temple had been built by his ancestors and that unlawful activities were tarnishing its religious and social standing. Previous attack on local businessman According to police records, Sharma had also allegedly attacked a catering businessman named Arvind on March 7, 2025, near the temple. The complaint stated that Sharma first abused the businessman, then smashed his car window with a stone and threatened to kill him. He was arrested and sent to jail in that case but was later released on bail by a court. Fatal assault captured on CCTV According to family members, Sharma arrived at the temple early on Tuesday morning in an allegedly intoxicated state. When Kailash Modi attempted to reason with him, an argument broke out. Sharma allegedly chased the elderly trustee with a stick. Modi ran toward a nearby gurdwara in an attempt to escape, but the accused reportedly followed him and repeatedly assaulted him. The injured trustee was rushed to hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. CCTV footage of the incident has also surfaced, reportedly showing the accused continuously striking the elderly trustee with a stick during the attack.