The Dhanusha District Court on Monday began hearing in a case against 10 persons involved in Janaki Temple vandalism under the Ancient Monument Preservation Act 2013.

Police had filed a case against the 10 individuals for their alleged involvement in vandalism during President Bidhya Devi Bhandari’s visit to the shrine to offer her prayers on December 16.

Shila Devi of Janakpur-4 and Ashok Kumar Prasaila of Dhanushadam-6 were arrested on charge of vandalising the temple. Police said Bimala Sah of Giddha-8; Bibek Chandra Adhikari of Ramdaiya Bhawari-4; Sushil Karna of Janakpur-4; Nabin Yadav of Mahadaiya Tapanpur-1 in Mahottari; Ram Chadra Chaudhary of Janakpur-6; Sarita Devi, Ramji Raya and Sita Chaudhary of Janakpur-8 are still at large.

The majority of the accused are Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) leaders. Ram Chandra Chaudhary is the vice-chairman of the Sadbhawana

Party and Ramji Raya is the central member of the Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party, police said.

Meanwhile, an SLMM meeting concluded that the police move to file the charge-sheet against the party leaders a premeditated attempt to foil the agitation.

“Police have tried to attack the morale of Morcha demonstrators. We will resort to stern protests if the charges were not withdrawn,” said Dhanusha Chairman of Sadbhawana Party, Sanjaya Kumar Singh.