AMARAVATI: A viral video of a youngster lighting a cigarette from a sacred oil lamp inside a Shiva temple at Ranamandala Konda in Adoni has outraged the Andhra Pradesh government, forcing an instant investigation. The teenager in the video has been apprehended by police and the act and film's dissemination are under investigation.

Vadde Eranna, a youngster from Virupapuram hamlet in Adoni mandal, videotaped himself lighting a cigarette using the temple candle. After Boya Shivaraju of Gowlipeta complained, police filed a Section 299 BNS case for religious insensitivity.

Eranna allegedly informed detectives that the video was taken in 2022 during the Class 10 supplementary test session when he visited the shrine with three buddies. After this discovery, the inquiry has focused on who posted the old video and why.

The state has ordered the police to examine the situation thoroughly. Senior officials are investigating if the video was intentionally shared to incite community conflict and disrupt law and order. The video's dissemination may have been linked to YouTuber Joseph, alias Ravan, who is facing various criminal charges, including one under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Police believe religiously offensive information was purposely spread to incite public animosity and divide groups. The video's web trail, social media accounts, and other evidence are being examined by authorities to identify its distributors.