Church set on fire in MP, probe ordered

Vandals set fire to St Bartholomew Church in Ratlam after breaking into it in wee hours of Sunday.

The incident that took place between 2 am and 4 am destroyed the documents, religious books, and furniture kept inside the 86-year-old church located in Railway Colony. The administration has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident, which has shocked the local Christian community.

Talking to HT, Ratlam DIG Varun Kapoor said, “The church was set on fire and there is evidence of vandalism. Police is investigating the matter and questioning people, but no one has been taken into custody as of now.”

Ratlam Collector Mahendra Gyani also admitted that the fire was not accidental. “It appears the church was torched, as locks of boxes inside the church were broken and documents were scattered. We have ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident.”