Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB/SP)
Udupi, Jul 20: IGP (Western Range) Arun Chakravarthy visited Hiriadka and Shiroor Math accompanied by district superintendent of police (SP) Laxman Nimbargi on Thursday, July 20 after the demise of Shiroor Swamiji.
Based on the complaint filed by Lathavya Acharya, brother of the late Shiroor Math Swamiji, Sri Lakshmivara Theertha, in Hiriadka police station, the district superintendent of police, Laxman Nimbargi, has totally restrained people from entering Shiroor Math premises at Car Street here for the present. Similar ban has also been enforced at the original Shiroor Math property near Harikandige near Hiriadka.
IGP Arun Chakravarthy - File photo
Lathavya Acharya said in his complaint that Sri Lakshmivara Theertha Swamiji (Harish Acharya before joining religious service), fell ill after having food at the base Math in Shiroor village at around 1.30 pm on July 16. He said that the Swamiji was admitted into a private hospital here before shifting to KMC Hospital Manipal for advanced care. He said that the Swamiji did not respond to treatments and breathed his last on July 19, adding that he has suspicion about his death. On this basis, the police registered case under section 174 (c) of Criminal Procedure Code.
As per the police sources, the blanket ban on accessing Shiroor Math here will be in force till the police investigation is completed. The police will seize items used in the kitchen of the Math. In all probability, they might mainly focus on the kitchen equipment and food consumed by the Swamiji. Taking serious view of the suspicious nature of Swamiji's demise, the police may also take away CCTV cameras, recordings etc that have been installed in and around the Math premises near Harikandige.
The post mortem at the department of forensic medicine in KMC Hospital Manipal on Thursday took long as the body was brought there at 11 am but the post mortem procedure was completed at 3.45 pm. It is said that the post mortem of the Swamiji began at 2 pm as two other post mortems were scheduled in the morning, and certain procedures were to be complied with. Medical superintendent of KMC Hospital stated that suspected poisonous substances were found in the body of the Swamiji, in a statement he made to the media after the mortal remains were taken away for post mortem. The post mortem report is expected to throw light on the actual reason behind the sudden death of the Swamiji like whether it was a case of food poisoning.
Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji of Pejawar Math said at Sirsi that Shiroor Swamiji was not an ascetic but a family man. He pointed out that Shiroor Swamiji had himself confessed about it openly in front of the media. "That is the reason we chose to overlook his demand when he tried to reclaim the idol of the presiding deity of his Math. He did not observe celibacy as ordained by religious traditions," he remarked.
A secret meeting is learnt to have been held at Sri Krishna Math regarding the successor for Shiroor Math after the demise of the Swamiji without adopting a disciple. As per the credible sources, there is no urgency at present to find a successor for Shiroor Math.
As Sode math is now dvandva (parallel) Math for Shiroor Math, Sode Math will currently be in charge of Shiroor math affairs until a successor is appointed to that Math.
District police department here has been keeping a close watch on activities of the Math.
Sode Math head, Sri Vishwavallabha Theertha Swamiji, said, "We are looking for the most eligible person to become successor of the Math. Under the guidance of senior Swamijis, the process of selection of a successor will be attended to. In the meantime, we are waiting for the forensic report,"
Kemaru Math Swamiji also urged the police to conduct a fair investigation to unearth the truth behind this suspicious death. He observed that Shiroor Swamiji was in good health. "I spoke to him just five days back. He was not a person who would take this extreme step. There is something wrong behind his death," he felt.