Sabarimala: Arrested tantri complains of uneasiness, shifted to hospital
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Sabarimala tantri (chief priest) Kandararu Rajeevaru, who was arrested in connection with the gold loss case at the hill shrine, was shifted to the government medical college hospital here following uneasiness on Saturday.
He was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) at the medical college as doctors found some variation in the heart beat, sources said.
"There are no major health issues. He was admitted as some minor variation was found in the heart beat," a hospital source said.
After being arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Friday, Rajeevaru was lodged at the special district sub-jail here.
Prison sources said the priest complained about uneasiness in the morning.
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He was first rushed to the state-run general hospital and then shifted to the medical college for further check-up as per the instruction of the doctors.
He was seen walking to the casuality ward of the general hospital amidst heavy police escort.
When reporters repeatedly asked about the charges levelled against him by the SIT in its remand report, Rajeevaru said, "I have nothing to say about it now."
Meanwhile, the SIT personnel carried out a raid at the chief priest's residence at Mundankavu in Chengannur as part of evidence collection.
The tantri was arrested for his alleged close links with prime accused Unnikrishnan Potty and for giving "silent permission" to the replating of the Dwarapalaka and Sreekovil gold plates of the Lord Ayyappa temple, outside the premises, official sources said.
Rajeevaru is from a priestly family, 'Thazhamon Madom' in Chengannur, that guided the rituals of Lord Ayyappa's abode for generations, a lineage revered for its antiquity.
The Thazhamon family's roots run deep and are associated with the legend of Lord Parasurama.
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Elderly woman killed, robbed on outskirts of Bengaluru
Bengaluru (PTI): A 69-year-old woman was allegedly murdered and robbed of her gold ornaments at her residence on the city’s outskirts while her paralysed husband was present, police said Thursday.
The incident occurred on Pete Street in Nelamangala, where Shobha lived with her husband, who is paralysed and bedridden, police said.
For the past decade, she had been the sole caregiver for her husband. The couple had no children and lived a secluded life, according to police.
A video from the scene showed the woman lying in a pool of blood, with her husband beside her on the same bed, they said.
The accused, Shivakumar, a wholesale shop owner who has been arrested in the case, allegedly targeted her to clear a debt of Rs 8 lakh, police said.
The crime came to light on Wednesday evening when her husband’s physiotherapist arrived for a scheduled session. Upon finding Shobha’s lifeless body in a pool of blood, the doctor immediately alerted the local authorities, police officials said.
According to police, at approximately 4 pm on the day of the incident, the accused, Shivakumar, a resident of the same locality, noticed Shobha wearing gold jewellery. He allegedly followed her to her residence with a premeditated plan.
Shivakumar entered the house under the guise of being thirsty, asking Shobha for a glass of water. Once inside, and believing she was alone, he attacked her. When Shobha attempted to resist, the accused allegedly slit her throat, a senior police officer said.
After the murder, Shivakumar fled the scene with more than 100 grams of gold jewellery worn by the victim, police said.
By analysing CCTV footage from the surrounding area, police identified Shivakumar and tracked him down, they added.
