Saint killed with an axe in Rajasthan

A sant allegedly killed another sant using an axe at a temple in Rajasthan's Karauli district apparently to steal jewellery, police said Monday.

The accused, sant Balakdas alias Lalaram, a resident of Morena district in Madhya Pradesh, had come to stay at the Hanuman Temple in Badapura village of Karauli.

Sant Mauni Baba alias Alok Singh Rajput had been living in the Karauli temple for a few weeks.

According to Masalpur police station SHO Mahendra Singh Chaudhary, Balakdas killed Mauni Baba using an axe to steal jewellery he was wearing on Sunday.

The accused saint was trying to escape with gold rings, locket and cash when villagers and others living in the temple's ashram apprehended him and handed over to the police.

An FIR was lodged by temple priest Sajjan Singh Rajput, following which the accused was detained after registering a case, police said.

The axe used in the crime has been recovered, they said.