FSL report rules out desecration of Rayanna statue in Macche village

Investigation of a case of desecration of Sangolli Rayanna statue in Macche village of Belagavi district has ruled out sabotage.

A Forensic Science Laboratory report has said that the liquid found on the statue was sap that dripped from the Kadu Banni (Wild Khejri) tree in the vicinity.

It is a natural plant resin and not ink or chemical, the police said.

A team led by Deputy Commissioner of Police Narayan Baramani investigated the spot on February 18. The team studied CCTV footage to check if any chemical was thrown at the statue.

Officers from the district FSL team collected the sap samples from the statue’s face, nearby soil and some tree branches. They sent it for testing to the regional FSL laboratory. The results were received on Saturday. They confirmed they were all from the tree.

A case was registered in the Rural Police Station.