'Vasudevan threatened to commit suicide if pedestal is not accepted,’ says Unnikrishnan’s family

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The vigilance recovered the missing Dwarapalaka peedam (pedestal) in Sabarimala from the house of sister of Unnikrishnan Potty, the sponsor, on Sunday. The pedestal was kept in the house of Potty's assistant, Vasudevan of Karate, since 2021. Vasudevan informed Unnikrishnan his reluctance to safeguard it after the Kerala High Court ordered investigation. Vasudevan brought the pedestal to the house of Mini Antharjanam, sister of Unnikrishnan, on September 21st.

However, Mini Antharjanam, also a teacher, told media that she did not know that it was the peedam embroiled in controversy. She clarified that Vasudevan came to her house along with her brother and he had a sealed packet in his hand.

'My brother told me that it was a shield from Sabarimala. Usually, things for the temple are brought and stored here. So, didn't ask more about it. It was a sealed packet. Told me that Vasudevan would come to take it back. Vigilance came last evening and opened the packet in front of us. Vasudevan may have been afraid to tell anyone,’ said Mini.

However, Unnikrishnan's mother Subhadramma clarified that Vasudevan threatened to commit suicide and returned the pedestal to his son. 'Unnikrishnan did not know that the pedestal was in Vasudevan's house. When the court intervened, Vasudevan brought the peedam home on September 21st. Vasudevan threatened to commit suicide if did not accept it. My son has been at home for the past two weeks. The controversy arose when a new pedestal was to be built and taken to Sabarimala.

It has been ten days since the peedam was brought home. My son thought the pedestal must be in the strong room. Meanwhile, my son and I came to know about it when Vasudevan reached home. Vasudevan and his daughter brought the pedestal home. Vasudevan told my son that he had forgotten that the pedestal was at home. My son asked him to take the peedam to the devaswom board office. Vasudevan did not agree to it. He then opened the cupboard and kept the peedam,’ said Subhadramma.

The Dwarapalaka peedam found by the vigilance yesterday, has been shifted to the strong room. The court had questioned taking the gold-plated sheets of Dwarapalaka idols to Potty’s Smart Creations in Chennai, for repair. When the plates, which weighed 42 kg, were returned after gold-plated, there was a weight loss of four kilo. This had sparked a controversy.