THIRUVALLA: Hindu Aikyavedi leader K P Sasikala, who was taken into preventive custody in the wee hours of Saturday, was granted bail a few hours ago.

The bail order was given by Thiruvalla district magistrate.

The earlier report was that police would take Sasikala back to the place from where she was arrested, heeding to her request. But coming out from the magistrate’s room, Sasikala said she would go to Sannidhanam only if her health is ok.

Earlier in the day, Sasikala was transported from Ranni police station to Thiruvalla RDO’s office under tight security.
More than 500 people including BJP-Hindu Aikyavedi leaders had crowed around the office by then.

Sasikala alleged that the government had not made any arrangement for devotees at Sannidhanam and this was the reason why the police evacuated people from there.

Sasikala who was on her way to Sabarimala for darshan on Friday was blocked by the police at Marakoottam at around 7:30 pm. Though the police asked her to return, she was not ready for it. She said she would return only after darshan and abhishekam as she had come with Irumudi. The police arrested her at around 1:40 am on Saturday after detaining her for about five hours.

After her arrest, Sasikala had been fasting to protest the police action. Later Sasikala said she was happy that police was ready to correct the mistake of arresting her on the orders of their superiors. She said the police had forcefully removed her from where she was sleeping at Marakoottam. They also hadn’t allowed her to attend nature’s call. She also expressed happiness over removing restrictions on her in Sabarimala.