Molestation Charge: ‘rawal’ Suspended

The Hindu
February 4, 2014

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/molestation-charge-rawal-suspended/article5654097.ece

Keshava Namboodiri

The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee on Tuesday suspended Keshava Namboodiri from the post of ‘rawal’ (chief priest) of the Badrinath shrine after he was held in Delhi on the charge of molesting a woman.

Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee president Ganesh Godiyal said, “the committee has suspended Keshava Namboodiri from the post of chief priest.”

Keshava Namboodiri, from Kerala, was appointed ‘rawal’ in 2009.

“The responsibility now lies on Keshava Namboodiri to prove himself innocent. He will be reinstated if the court declares him innocent. However, he will be removed from the post only if the charges are proved,” Mr. Godiyal said.

V.C. Ishwara Prasad Namboodiri, the Naib-Rawal (deputy chief priest), would be given the responsibilities of the ‘rawal’ till then, he said.

A five-member inquiry committee had been set up by the committee to carry out an investigation, sources said.

Keshava Namboodiri was a member of the committee and had the highest position among the priests who conducted prayers at the temple, sources said.