After Sanjay Rathod's show-of-strength at Pohardevi temple, 19 test COVID-19 positive

The priest of Pohardevi temple in Washim district and 18 others tested COVID-19 positive on Thursday, two days after Maharashtra Forest Minister Sanjay Rathod and a large number of his supporters visited the place, an official said.

The minister, under fire in connection with Pooja Chavan's death in Pune, had come in for criticism for the gathering at Poharadevi Temple on Tuesday amid the rising number of coronavirus cases in the state.

"As a precautionary measure, the health department carried out tests of people who were present there. (Priest) Mahant Kabirdas and 18 others tested positive for COVID-19," the health official said.

Rathod's visit and the gathering, seen as a show-of- strength, came a day after Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had warned of strict measures if people continued to flout COVID- 19-related safety norms.

On February 8, A 22-year-old girl, Pooja Chavan, had allegedly jumped off a building to end her life. Hailing from Parli town in Beed, Pooja had gone to Pune for an English speaking course. She lived in Heaven Park society along with two persons, who are reported to be her brother and one of his friends.