Illegal' wireless sets have Padhmanabhaswamy temple official in trouble

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Fort Police has registered a case against Padhmanabhaswamy temple Executive Officer (EO) KN Satheesh IAS for using wireless sets in the temple without securing a mandatory license. The case was registered, based on complaints by temple administrative committee chairperson and senior judge V Shircy. As per the complaint, around 12 wireless sets were bought by Satheesh and four others and four of these were being used illegally here. As per Mr Satheesh the wireless sets were brought here for trials before formalising purchase.

“Mobile phones are not allowed inside temple. Our intercom goes out of order regularly due to rat infestation there. So the administrative committee had permitted the purchase of wireless sets. The contract term says that the company has to get license and provide us the wireless sets,” said Mr Satheesh. There was a suspicion that low powered wireless with no repeaters will work inspite of high walls of temples. Hence it was being tested to satisfaction and was a property of the company, he added.

The police was yet to seize the wireless sets. Its possession violates section 3 of The Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act 1933. The offenders can get up to three months jail term and Rs 1,000 fine. Fort Police said that the complaint from Ms Shircy went to city police commissioner who directed local police to act. A cold war has been looming among temple officials as some of the decisions by administrative committee was not being heeded by Executive Officer who is empowered to take decisions on purchases.