India, Oct. 1 -- Two ascetics were allegedly murdered, and their bodies were set on fire inside a Shiva temple at Sutha village in Uttar Pradesh's Shahjahanpur district, police said on Thursday, and added that a man has been detained for questioning. The man allegedly wanted to drive Gopal Das, 70, and Bihari Das, 60, away to take control of land around the temple.

Police said Sutha residents found the body of one ascetic burning, while the other was reduced to a skeleton after noticing smoke rising from the temple around 7am on Thursday.

Gopal Das had lived at the temple for nearly 20 years. Bihari Das became Gopal Das's disciple and began staying with him at the temple about a month ago.

Gopal Das's family said he left home and began...