THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Councilor Prasanna Kumar said the body of Gopan Swamy, who was claimed to have attained Samadhi in Neyyattinkara, was not in a decomposed state. The body was taken out after demolishing the burial crypt in the presence of Prasanna Kumar, also a public representative.

‘The slab on the top of the crypt was first removed. There were three slabs inside in the front. They were removed one by one. It was made of bricks and the body was inside. It was covered with bhasma up to the neck. The body was found in a sitting position. The entire crypt smelled of camphor. The face was in a recognizable state. The entire body was covered with cloth. The body was not decomposed. However, his mouth was wide open and his tongue was black in colour,’ said Prasanna Kumar.

The body that was taken out was laid on a table and after the inquest was taken to the medical college hospital for the post-mortem. A forensic examination is yet to be conducted to determine if there was any abnormality in the death.

Considering the possibility of a scuffle, a large police contingent led by two DySPs had reached the spot early in the morning. The district administration coordinated the situation. The road to the crypt was closed in the morning. The public and the media were not allowed to enter the place. The top was opened after the crypt was covered with a tarpaulin.