A 55-year-old man from Jammu and Kashmir was detained on Saturday, January 10, 2026, after allegedly attempting to offer namaz within the Ram Mandir complex in Ayodhya. The individual, identified as Abu Ahad Sheikh (also reported as Ahmed Sheikh) from Shopian district, was later handed over to his family after they presented medical records indicating he suffered from mental illness.
According to authorities, Sheikh entered the high-security temple premises and sat near the Sita Rasoi area, allegedly preparing to offer namaz. Security personnel intervened, detaining him and handing him over to local police for questioning. Some reports suggest that Sheikh also raised slogans while being stopped. Ayodhya Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gaurav Grover clarified that only one individual was taken into custody in connection with the incident.
The incident has prompted a review of security protocols at the Ram Mandir complex, a highly sensitive religious site. Police are investigating how Sheikh managed to enter the complex, as visitors are typically subjected to security checks. Officials noted that identity documents like Aadhaar cards are not verified at entry points, which may have facilitated his access.
During initial interrogations, Sheikh reportedly told police he was traveling to Ajmer, a major pilgrimage destination in Rajasthan. Police are investigating his travel history, motives, and whether others were involved. Food items, including cashews and raisins, were found in his possession.
Sheikh's family has stated that he has a history of mental illness and provided medical records from the psychiatry department of Srinagar Medical College as evidence. A family member was quoted as saying they were unaware of his trip to Ayodhya, stating he has a tendency to wander off due to his condition.
Superintendent of Police (City) Chakrapani Tripathi confirmed that Sheikh was handed over to his family on Saturday evening after they presented the medical documents. As part of the investigation, police also questioned some Kashmiri youths selling shawls in Ayodhya but released them after verifying their identities and finding no objectionable items. Senior police officials have stated that security agencies remain alert, but no further action is currently being taken in the matter.
The Ram Mandir stands on a site that was previously occupied by the Babri Mosque, demolished in 1992, leading to communal violence. The Supreme Court awarded the land to Hindu parties in 2019 for temple construction, directing that alternative land be allocated for a mosque elsewhere in Ayodhya. The site remains under tight security.
