Kollam: The Crime Branch on Tuesday arrested Krishna Kumar, an RSS worker for the arson at the ashram of Swami Sandeepananda Giri here in 2018.
All the three accused in the case -- Krishna Kumar, Prakash and Sabari -- are Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) workers.
Krishna Kumar had been remanded to custody for abetting the suicide of his friend Prakash. Sabari is absconding.
Crime Branch has also obtained evidence to prove that the accused dismantled a bike to start the fire at the ashram. Krishna Kumar made the wreath found on ashram premises, the Crime Branch said.
It is suspected that their enmity towards Swami Sandeepananda Giri motivated them to commit the crime.
Prakash's brother Prasanth had claimed that his brother and friends started the fire at the ashram. The Crime Branch made Prakash an accused in the case based on this testimony. Prakash died by suicide on January 3.
However, Prasanth later turned into a hostile witness. He contradicted his first statement and informed the magistrate that he was forced by the Crime Branch to give the statement.
The attempt to set fire to the ashram, located at Kundamankadavu on the banks of the Karamana River in Thiruvananthapuram, took place during the wee hours of October 27, 2018. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was among those who visited the site after the incident.
Even though the case attracted widespread attention, there was no progress in the investigation carried out by the Crime Branch till the Prasanth offered a new lead.The investigating authorities are certain that Prakash set fire to the ashram.
Meanwhile, the state government is planning to take over the ashram and convert it into a wellness centre managed by Oushadhi. The 73-cent plot on the riverside is ideal for the purpose, according to a report filed by Dr Hrideek, the managing director of Oushadhi. Moreover, the facilities in the ashram building could be utilised for the wellness centre, the report added.
