The Hindu Business Line : `No move to take over Mutt'

THE Tamil Nadu Government does not intend taking over the management of the Kanchi Mutt following the arrest of its head the Sankaracharya Sri Jayendra Saraswathi, according to the Chief Minister, Ms J. Jayalalithaa.

The Government had taken action against the Mutt head only after police investigation indicated his involvement in a murder. It had initiated the action because everyone was equal in the eyes of the law. The Government had not acted under pressure, she said.

In a statement in the Assembly today, she said that the Sankaracharya was arrested on November 11, 2004, after investigations revealed his involvement in the murder of Sankararaman, a manager in the Kanchipuram Varadaraja Perumal Temple, on September 3.

A 29-member investigation team monitored by the Superintendents of Police of Kanchipuram, Cuddalore and Thiruvallur, was tracking down those involved. Files, which were obtained from the victim's house, indicate the motive for the murder, and witnesses, point to the Sankaracharya's involvement, she said.

Investigations also indicate the Sankaracharya's link to another murderous assault on one Radhakrishan, his wife, and an employee, on September 20, 2002, in Chennai.

There have also been efforts to sidetrack the investigation. On October 27, five individuals had surrendered in the 15th Metropolitan Magistrate Court. But the police found that they were not connected with the murder and had been paid to divert the course of investigation. They have been charged under IPC 201 and taken into judicial custody on November 5, the Chief Minister said.

Four individuals with direct link to Sankararaman's murder have also been arrested on November 7 and 9. Their statements, and materials seized from them point to the Shankaracharya's involvement in these crimes, Ms Jayalalithaa said.

The police are looking for Ravi Subramaniam and Appu alias Krishnaswamy with whom the Sankaracharya is said to have conspired. Large sums of money have also changed hands to arrange these crimes, she said.

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