Bachu Rahman remanded in police custody till Oct. 12

Kochi, Oct 3 (UNI) Key accused in the Sabarimala tantri attack case Bachu Rahman, who surrendered before police this morning, was later remanded into police custody till October 12 by the Ernakulam Judicial First Class Magistrate Dismissing the bail application of Rahman, the magistrate remanded him in police custody after counsel for the police said his custodial interrogation was necessary to get to the bottom of the case.

Bachu, who had been absconding for the past more than two months, surrendered before Investigating Officer G Venu at the Central Police Station this morning, as per the directions of the Kerala High Court.

The high court, while disposing off his anticipatory bail application on September 19, had directed Bachu Rahman to surrender before the investigating officer on October three.

Bachu has been described by police as small time television actor and a business associate of main accused Shobha John. Police said Shobha John is a key link in an alleged sex racket here.

Sabarimala tantri Kandararu Mohanararu was allegedly attacked in Shobha John's 'Link Laxman' flat here on July 23, robbed of his gold ornaments and forcibly photographed with a woman in a compromising position, the tantri said in his complaint to the police.

Police have said that it was Bachu Rahman who arranged the 'goonda gang' which attacked the tantri.

Bachu Rahman, however, told reporters before surrendering that it was the tantri himself who had ''stage managed'' the attack to divert attention from some allegations made against him in connection with the conduct of affairs at Sabarimala temple.

Bachu said that the tantri had asked him to arrange the 'goondas' to ''attack'' him. The tantri was in touch with him even after the July 23 incident. Bachu said that after staying in Kochi for a week after the incident, he had left for his home in Kasaragod district, where he was sheltered by some friends.

Kandararu Mohanararu was sacked as the tantri on July 24 by the Travancore Devaswom Board after reports of his alleged involvement in a sex racket surfaced.

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