The Hindu : National : Junior Acharya appears for questioning

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 27, 2004

National

National

Junior Acharya appears for questioning

By V. Venkatasubramanian

The junior Sankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, Sri Vijayendra Saraswathi, arrives for police questioning at Kancheepuram on Sunday. — Photo: A. Muralitharan

KANCHEEPURAM, DEC. 26. The junior Sankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, Sri Vijayendra Saraswathi, was today questioned by S.P. Sakthivelu, chief investigation officer of the special investigation team probing the Sankararaman murder case and other connected cases. The senior Acharya, Sri Jayendra Saraswathi, is the first accused in the murder.

The Acharya, who went to the investigation bungalow, located behind the camp office of the Superintendent of Police here at 2 p.m., came out at 3-10 p.m. Alighting from his vehicle, he walked up to the bungalow.

Talking to reporters, counsel for the Sankara Mutt, A. Shanmugham, claimed that Sri Vijayendra Saraswathi was questioned only on the functioning and activities of the Mutt and was informed that he might have to appear for questioning either tomorrow or the day after, as senior police officials of the team had gone to Chennai.

Asked about Raghu, brother of Sri Vijayendra Saraswathi, Mr. Shanmugham said that Raghu was very much available at the investigation bungalow and he was seen standing in a corner of the main hall when the junior Acharya entered the building to present himself for questioning. However, the chief investigation officer questioned the Acharya in a separate room, he added.

Asked whether Raghu had been detained by the police, the lawyer said that so far he had not received any intimation from the police. At the same time, he expressed displeasure at the police action of bringing Raghu "forcibily" from his residence at Valasarawalkam in Chennai against medical advice.

"Two days ago, we made an offer to the police that we ourselves would bring Raghu to Kancheepuram if the special investigation team needed him for interrogation. But the police replied in the negative and now they have brought him from his residence without any summons," he said.

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