PATHANAMTHITTA: After the forest department, the police have also filed a case against those who trespassed into Ponnambalamedu and performed the puja. Narayanan Thirumeni of Thrissur Thekekattu Math is the chief accused. On the basis of the complaint filed by the Devaswom Commissioner, the Moozhiyar police registered a case under IPC sections 295 (Injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class), 295A (Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs), 447 (Punishment for criminal trespass) and 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention).

7 people, including Narayanan Thirumeni, are yet to be arrested. 5 of them are natives of Tamil Nadu. Pathanamthitta First Class Court remanded Forest Development Corporation Gavi Division Supervisor Rajendran Karuppaiah (51) and worker Sabu Mathew (49) for helping the group.

The group of seven members went to Ponnambalamedu for the puja on May 8. No one can enter Ponnambalamedu, part of the Periyar Tiger Sanctuary, without the permission of the forest department.