NEW DELHI: Former Goa governor and former BJP Kerala president PS Sreedharan Pillai on Friday (Feb 20) alleged that the 41-day imprisonment of Thantri Kandararu Rajeevaru was the result of a conspiracy by the political movement ruling Kerala.
Speaking to media persons after visiting Thantri Rajeevaru at his residence in Chengannur, Sreedharan Pillai pointed out that the Kollam Vigilance court has observed in the 90-page judgment on the bail application of the Thantri that there was not even a shred of evidence against him(the Thantri).
He demanded that the Chief Minister and others should apologise for this.
He revealed that he was the one who advised the Thantri to close the temple when young women arrived to climb the hill shrine and said he assured the Thantri that this would not be a contempt of court.
Pillai further said that he was instructed to contact the Thantri after Rehana Fatima and Kavita arrived at the Sannidhanam under police protection.
He gave Thantri legal advice as requested by a prominent Hindu community leader. Accordingly, he convinced Thantri that closing the temple and performing Shuddhikalash would not be a contempt of court.
“I told Thantri to close the temple. On the same day, without following norms, two women—Rehana Fathima and Kavitha,assisted by the police, reached near the holy 18th step of the temple. It was a state-sponsored trip,” Sreedharan Pillai said, adding these matters are explained in the chapter titled ‘Sabarimala Samaravum Suvarnavasara Vidhiyum’ in his new book.
Pillai clarified that it was a legal right to close the temple to prevent any violation of rituals and that he had promised Thantri that he would be the first to be accused if action was taken.
Sreedharan Pillai also recalled the Supreme Court’s rejection of the contempt petitions filed against Thantri and himself.
He said the court’s stand is proof that the advice he gave was not illegal, but he accused the media of not even being able to convey this information to the people. - The Statesman/ANN
