Mystery looms over death of Anayara Mullur temple chief priest; investigation begins

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The police started an investigation into the incident in which the chief priest of the Bhadrakali temple in Anayara Mullur was found dead under mysterious circumstances. K. Vishnu (42) of Kavitha Vihar, V.P. Thampi Road, Kudappanakunnu, died in the incident. The police found a suicide note mentioning the names of festival committee office bearers Uthaman and friend Vinod.

The priest’s close friends expressed suspicion over the death having a connection with the incident when Vishnu questioned former minister Kadakampally Surendran over the violation of temple rituals. Kadakampally Surendran had visited the temple as part of his election campaign on March 22, the first day of the temple festival.

When the chief priest gave the holy water, instead of drinking it, the former minister dropped it on the ground and dried his hands using the clothes. The chief priest felt this was insulting from the former minister and conveyed his disapproval to others present. Later, on the last day of the festival, Vishnu was removed from the procession, and he was even made to apologise for the incident by the temple office bearers and CPM activists.

The festival committee convener, Shyam Lal, also alleged that some people even used caste remarks to abuse the chief priest. The FIR states that Vishnu hanged himself between 3 am and 6:45 am on the 5th due to mental distress. Vishnu's body was found in a room in the temple premises where the employees were supposed to rest. He had been found hanging using the white dhoti. The Pettah police registered a case on the complaint of Vishnu's father-in-law, S. Ganesan. Section 194 of the IPC has been charged with a suspicious death. The Pettah police also said that a detailed investigation will be conducted into all the causes of death.

SI M. Shamir is the investigating officer. The investigation is focused on those named in the suicide note. The police said that they have not received any evidence or statements against Kadakampally Surendran. The CCTV footage has been examined.

Vishnu is the son of the late Kumaraswamy and Thangam. Wife: Kavitha. Children: Vaiga Krishna, Vaibhav Krishna. The funeral will be held at 9 am on Tuesday.

The Hindu Aikya Vedi marched in protest against the suicide of Vishnu, the head of the Mullur temple. State Secretary Sandeep Thampanoor inaugurated the march. Sandeep Thampanoor demanded an investigation into Kadakampally Surendran and the temple officials.