The Hindu : National : Supreme Court to be apprised of need for Acharya to perform `aradhana'

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Wednesday, Jan 05, 2005

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National

Supreme Court to be apprised of need for Acharya to perform `aradhana'

By Our Staff Reporter

KANCHEEPURAM, JAN. 4. The need for the Kanchi Sankaracharya, Sri Jayendra Saraswathi's participation in the "varshika aradhana" of the Paramacharya, Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi, on January 7 at the Sankara Mutt here will be brought to the notice of the Supreme Court, which will hear the Acharya's bail plea on Thursday, January 6, according to the Sankara Mutt counsel A. Shanmugam.

The Kanchi Acharya was arrested on November 11, 2004 and has been lodged at the Central Prison, Vellore in connection with the murder of Sankararaman, manager, Sri Varadarajaperumal temple here on September 3, 2004.

Mr. Shanmugam told reporters here today that it had been decided to make a mention in the Supreme Court about the need to allow the Acharya to perform the `aradhana' — custom demanded that the successor alone perform the "varshika aradhana" to his guru.

Asked whether it would be advisable for the Mutt to seek remedy directly from the Supreme Court bypassing the State Government in this regard, Mr. Shanmugam said there was no opportunity for the Mutt to approach the Government since the matter had been in the apex court. "Further, the State Government cannot interfere in it. So it is better and advisable to approach the Supreme Court," he added.

To a question on rumours that the Junior Acharya, Sri Vijayendra Saraswathi, was also to be arrested in connection with the murder case, counsel said that as of now they did not foresee any such move since there was no evidence or statement given by any accused/witness against Sri Vijayendra Saraswathi.

"There may be a chance of the junior Acharya getting arrested only if the Government decides to take over the Mutt. But the Chief Minister had categorically stated on the floor of the Assembly that there was no such intention to take over the institution and that there was no case against the junior Acharya. We believe that the Chief Minister will stick on to her words," Mr. Shanmugam said.

Counsel said that the special investigation team, which issued summon at 5 p.m. yesterday to the junior Acharya directing him to appear at the investigation bungalow today, cancelled it around midnight. "The Deputy Superintendent of Police, C. Rajamani, informed the Mutt authorities over telephone last midnight that the summons stood cancelled and that there was no need for him to appear before the team this morning," Mr.Shanmugam said.

However, Mr. Shanmugam came to the investigation bungalow this morning to confirm the telephone message.

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