PONDICHERRY: Junior Acharya of the Kanchi Mutt Sri Vijayendra Saraswathi and his brother M. K. Raghu have sought discharge from the Kanchi Sankararaman murder case in which they have been cited as accused. In his petition, the junior Acharya sought discharge on the ground that there was no direct or indirect evidence against him even to suggest that he was a party to criminal conspiracy along with the other accused. There was no documentary evidence to connect the second accused in any manner with the commission of the offence.

`No evidence'

M.K. Raghu in his petition stated there was no material to point out that he was a party to the alleged conspiracy or that he had agreed to join the conspiracy or had a reason to join any such alleged conspiracy to eliminate Sankararaman.

When the case came up for hearing in the Principal Sessions Court here on Wednesday all the accused, excepting the senior Acharya Sri Jayendra Saraswathi and another accused, were present.

Special Public Prosecutor T. Balasundaram said that charges may be framed in the case and the prosecution was ready for arguments.

Court directive

Countering this, K.S. Dinakaran, counsel for Jayendra Saraswathi, sought a de novo trial that is, to start the proceedings afresh in this court.

"Though the Principal Sessions Judge, Chengalpattu had earlier heard both the sides and posted the case for framing of charges, this court in Pondicherry has had no occasion to hear both the sides before framing of charges.

Hence we seek that the court hear us out," he said.

Mr. Balasundaram said that they had already crossed three stages in the case and this was not the time for seeking a de novo trial.

When the discharge petitions were filed by D. Lakshmana Reddiar, counsel for the Junior Acharya and S. Karthikeyan counsel for M.K. Raghu, Principal Sessions Judge M. Chinnapandi posted the case for February 23 for filing of counter by the prosecution.

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