Three arrested in connection with Sabarimala 'tantri' case

Kochi, Aug 2 (UNI) Three people, including one woman Shobha John, were arrested in connection with the ''attack'' on the sacked Sabarimala tantri Kandararu Mohanararu here on July 23.

Senior police officials told UNI that while Shobha, in whose house the tantri was attacked, was arrested here this morning, the other two, identified as Ani, described as a ''bodyguard'' of Shobha John and his friend Vigil were arrested from outside Kochi.

The three were arrested on charges of extortion. They will be produced in court tomorrow, officials said.

Tantri Kandararu Mohanararu, one of the main priests at the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple, was sacked on July 24 immediately after reports surfaced about his alleged involvement in a sex scandal.

Police had described as ''false,'' the tantri's original complaint about being ''abducted'' and taken to Shobha John's house.

The priest however had filed a revised complaint later in which he said that he had gone on his own to Shobha's house in the Valanajambalam area here to pick up a maid servant.

He said while he was in the house, a group of youth barged in and attacked him. They forcibly photographed him with a woman and robbed him of nearly 40 sovereigns of gold jewellery. They also demanded Rs 30 lakh from him, the tantri had alleged.

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