No more Unnikrishnan Pottys, devaswom board to select assistants for melsanthis

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) is planning to select assistants directly to melsanthis of Sabarimala. Board president P S Prasanth informed that police verification will be made mandatory for them. Melsanthis of temples under the devaswom board are being considered for this. However, it is not clear from when this will be implemented. Reports indicate that assistants may be provided in the coming mandala season itself. Information recently came to light that Unnikrishnan Potty, the first accused in the Sabarimala gold theft case, had previously worked as an assistant to Keezhsanthi. The investigation also revealed that the theft was committed under the cover of the relationship he had formed while working in this way. The board's move is to prevent such fraudsters