Deccan Herald News
 

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 12: The Kerala High Court has asked the police to investigate complaints against the renowned Charismatic Divine Retreat Centre at Potta in Thrissur district without hindering the centre’s functioning. The centre claims to be one of the largest spiritual retreats in Asia where the “sick, broken-hearted and those addicted to alcohol and drugs” can find solace in.

Courtesy: DRCM

The court’s new direction came in the light of a furore over police inspection at the centre last month. The High Court had, in March, asked the government to constitute a special police team for the investigation. Justice K Padmanabhan Nair ordered directed the SIT to enquire into the allegation of foreign exchange violations by the centre, besides unnatural deaths that took place in and around the centre during the last two years. The High Court direction had come on account of an anonymous letter, which complained about criminal and anti-social activities taking place at the centre.

After initiating suo motu proceedings on the basis of the letter, the court had received a complaint from a woman detained at the district jail stating that a priest at the divine centre had raped her. She was detained in connection with a theft at the centre. 

Stating that she had filed a complaint before the District and Sessions Judge, Kozhikode, the woman said that the police were not investigating the case. The woman alleged that in the last two years, a number of dead bodies were found on the National Highway and the railway track near the centre. According to her, these deaths were not caused by accidents.

Following the court’s directions, the police began investigations in September. However, this caused a furore and the centre authorities alleged that its functioning had been affected. The UDF, had also criticised the “police action” here. Due to this, the court issued new guidelines asking the police to carry out their work without hindering the work of the centre. They have also been asked to dress in plain clothes and put on identity cards.