Peringottukara Devasthanam: Sexual harassment case is fabricated, alleges Tantri's daughter

KOCHI: In a dramatic twist to the recent arrest in a harassment case linked to the Peringottukara Devasthanam, Unnimaya, the elder daughter of the temple's Tantri (chief priest), has alleged that a honeytrap gang is behind the false complaint that led to the arrest of her younger sister's husband.

Speaking at a press conference, Unnimaya claimed that certain family members orchestrated the entire episode out of personal enmity. She further alleged that the Bengaluru police demanded Rs 2 crore to remove her father, who has been named as the second accused, from the case—even after being provided with digital evidence proving his innocence.

According to Unnimaya, the case was fabricated as part of a conspiracy involving some of her relatives, with the complainant being a friend of one of them from Karnataka. She claimed the real motive was to discredit her father and take control of the temple’s affairs. Despite submitting digital proof of his innocence, the police insisted on a bribe to drop charges, she said. She also claimed to possess evidence of this demand.

Unnimaya also alleged that the vehicle used by the complainant to visit the temple for pooja had a fake number plate. After taking photos at the temple, the woman allegedly left and soon after filed the harassment case against her brother-in-law, Arun, who has since been arrested. Unnimaya acknowledged that Arun had exchanged messages with the complainant, but said the chats were being selectively edited to distort the truth. She maintained that Arun had not physically harassed the complainant.

Further, she accused some family members of attempting to eliminate her father, loot temple property, and sabotage charitable initiatives, including a free dialysis centre that was about to be launched. In response, her father, Unni Damodaran, had reportedly expelled some relatives from temple affairs, leading to a revenge-driven campaign involving false allegations and legal harassment.

Unnimaya concluded by stating that she has filed a police complaint against those involved in the conspiracy and emphasised that the entire situation is a deliberate attempt to tarnish the reputation of both her family and the temple.