Ambalappuzha Sreekrishna Swamy temple devotees demand action against tainted official

ALAPPUZHA: The Ambalappuzha Sreekrishna Swamy temple Karma Samithy, a devotee outfit, has demanded action against TDB deputy commissioner S. Ragunathan Nair, who was let off in the case relating to the disappearance of the pendant from the Ambalappuzha Sreekrishna Swamy temple.

Mr D. Subhash Kumar, co-coordinator, Karma Samithy, claimed that Mr Ajay Tharayil, member, TDB, had promised them action after reading the vigilance report to them in a meeting in September.

The vigilance inquiry had recommended action against two employees –melsaanthi Babu Namboodiri and the then administrative officer J. Murukesan-- for serous lapses, and Mr Nair, the then assistant commissioner, Ambalappuzha group, and Sandeep Sarma, non-Brahmin keezhsaanthi (assistant priest) for minor lapses.

Three of them are now under suspension for the last one-and-a- half months. However, Mr Nair has been promoted as deputy commissioner, Haripad.

“This is a clear case of injustice. We need to know why the TDB is protecting him. We demand immediate action against Mr. Nair. Otherwise, we will take legal steps against him,” Mr Kumar, who is also member of Thakazhy panchayat, said.

The TDB took the decision against the employees except Mr. Nair on September 13 after prolonged protest by Karma Samithy members against the lapses in the investigation.

Mr C. Radhakrishnan, a social activist in Ambalappuzha, said the ornaments were missing frequently from the Amabalappuzha temple because of the irresponsibility of the devaswom officials.

Responding to the issue, Mr Prayar Gopalakrishnan, TDB president, said on Friday that he would study the file in Thiruvananthapuram.