70-Year-Old Temple Trustee Murdered by Caretaker in Indore

June 16, 2026

Indore, June 16: A 70-year-old temple trustee was allegedly beaten to death by the caretaker of a 150-year-old temple in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, early Tuesday morning. The accused has been arrested.

The victim, Kailash Modi, was a trustee of the historic temple located in the Annapurna area of the city. The incident occurred around 5:30 AM inside the temple premises and was captured on CCTV.

According to police reports, Kailash Modi arrived at the temple as usual when caretaker Mukesh Sharma allegedly attacked him. The CCTV footage reportedly shows Sharma striking the elderly trustee with a wooden stick.

Kailash Modi sustained severe injuries and collapsed within the temple grounds. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead.

Assistant Police Commissioner (ACP) Shivendu Joshi stated that the accused was apprehended shortly after the incident. Joshi informed reporters that Mukesh Sharma has been arrested, and preliminary investigations indicate he attacked Kailash Modi with a stick. Authorities are interrogating him to uncover the circumstances and motives behind the crime.

Police have seized the stick used in the attack and collected the CCTV footage as evidence. A forensic team has also examined the crime scene, while statements from temple staff and other witnesses are being recorded.

Initial investigations suggest that the accused was working as a caretaker at the temple. Police are looking into whether there was any prior dispute between him and the temple trustee. Officials have confirmed that all potential angles, including personal and workplace-related issues, are being investigated.

ACP Joshi noted that the CCTV footage has been instrumental in understanding the sequence of events and is a crucial piece of evidence. The investigation is ongoing.

This incident has shocked devotees and local residents, particularly because it occurred within a temple that has stood for over 150 years and involved a senior member of its management. A murder case has been filed against the accused, and further investigations are underway.