In a bizarre late-night incident, a 30-year-old Naval staffer was arrested for allegedly vandalising the St Anthony’s Chapel at New Vaddem, Vasco, damaging the statue of St Anthony and stealing money from the donation box.
Locals were shocked after CCTV footage captured a man roaming near the chapel wearing only a woman’s underwear and a bra shortly before the vandalism occurred.
Residents said they initially spotted the half-dressed man around 1.15 am, assuming he was mentally unstable, but the full extent of the incident became clear only in the morning.
The vandal had damaged the statue inside the chapel and broken open the donation box. The site is a regular place of worship, hosting Novenas, Feasts, and Christmas and New Year celebrations, and the act deeply upset the local community.
Local ward councillor Sudesh Bhosle said the community was stunned by both the behaviour of the individual and the damage caused.
“People thought he was abnormal and ignored him at night, but in the morning we saw the statue broken and the donation box damaged. The CCTV footage has been handed over to the police. We appeal to the public not to disturb communal harmony and urge police to increase night patrolling,” said Bhosle.
Later in the day, Vasco police arrested 30-year-old Naval employee Navneet Singh in connection with the incident. Police confirmed that Singh, who stayed on rent just 20 metres from the chapel, was identified from the CCTV footage and by locals.
Sources said Singh, posted as a cook at INS Jeevanti, had returned home from work around 12.45 am, wandered around the chapel wearing ladies’ undergarments, and then quietly left for duty on Wednesday morning “as if nothing had happened.” He had recently sent his wife and children to their native place and was staying alone.
Based on the video evidence and local confirmation, police traced Singh to his workplace and placed him under arrest. Further investigation is underway to determine the motive behind the vandalism and whether additional factors were involved. Authorities have also stepped up night patrolling to prevent similar incidents.
