India, July 8 -- A man from Uttar Pradesh was arrested by Pune City police late on Sunday night for allegedly desecrating the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Pune Railway Station. The accused has been identified as Suraj Shukla, a native of Varanasi, who lives in Vishrantwadi.

According to the police, Shukla, dressed in saffron attire, climbed up to the base of the statue, wielding a koyta (sickle), and attempted to strike on the chest and legs of the monument, causing minor damage.

Alert passengers and bystanders intervened promptly, restrained Shukla, and handed him over to the police. The police seized the weapon and recovered some religious books from his possession.

Deputy commissioner of police (Zone 2), Milind Mohite, said, "Prima f...