Click to play videoKerala: The findings of the special investigation team probing the alleged defiling of the Sabarimala temple reportedly points to a conspiracy to defame the Thantri's (head priest) family, the custodians of the shrine.
The report is yet to be made public but sources have told CNN-IBN the findings of the report suggest a conspiracy hatched by Kannada actor Jaimala in connivance with astrologer Unikrishnan Pannikar.
It was Pannikar who had initially said that the presence of a woman inside the temple had defiled the idol, an argument opposed by the Thantri.
Says the Thantri's grandson, Rahul Eeswar, "We are really happy with the findings. It's a conspiracy against the Thantri family."
The crime branch reportedly also has evidence suggesting that Panniker the astrologer had visited actor Jaimala more than once before the whole controversy erupted.
Says a temple board member, Punalur Madhu, "Only after the report comes in from the government can we say anything more. It seems to point towards a conspiracy, but there is no question of doing another devaprasnam (cleansing ritual). Lets wait for the report to come out."
But the big question is, will the Devaswom temple board allow Pannikar to look into temple affairs if the unholy alliance is proved right?
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