Sabari row: Temple may ask for probe

With the controversy triggered by Kannada actress Jaimala's revelation that she had touched the idol of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala temple heating up, the Travancore Devaswom Board hinted on Thursday at the possibility of asking for a crime branch or judicial probe to bring out the truth.

Adding a new dimension to the row, sources close to the temple 'tantri' Kandararu Maheswaru, said they would consider legal action against Jaimala for reiterating her statement.

Leading astrologer Parappanangadi Unnikrishnan, who recently conducted the 'ashtamangalya prasnam' at the shrine, said the astrological examination had brought out several inauspicious things in the conduct of rituals of the shrine.

The TDB's meeting on July 7 will consider whether a crime branch or judicial probe was to be ordered and make suitable recommendation to the government, TDB Commissioner C G Sachithanandan told PTI.

Devaswom Minister G Sudhakaran said in the assembly that the government did not intend to meddle with the traditions and customs of the shrine, including the question of allowing women in 10-50 age group to offer worship. It was for temple authorities to decide on such matters, he said.

A spokesman of the temple tantri said that since the issue involved disgracing of the shrine and the priests, they would also explore legal action to bring out the whole truth.