Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Aug 4: "Post-mortem report only gives immediate cause for a person's death. Therefore it cannot be treated as final report. For doctors to arrive at final conclusion, report of the forensic science laboratory, prepared after conducting in-depth tests and analysis, has to be received," said district superintendent of police, Laxman B Nimbargi.

He was replying to questions raised by the media persons about the suspicious death of Shiroor Sri Lakshmivara Theertha Swamiji, after the direct phone-in programme organized at his office on Friday August 3.

Laxman Nimbargi

He clarified that the forensic science laboratory report will be sent directly to KMC Hospital Manipal by the laboratory. The doctors of KMC Hospital will compare both the reports and give their final opinion. The report will then be handed over to police department, he added. He said that there will be some delay as regional forensic science laboratory at Mangaluru has to cater to cases from several districts. "They give preference to suicide cases where compensation has to be paid immediately. In the case of DNA testing, they give their report immediately, and then send the report to Bengaluru for conducting the test there again," he explained.

He said that security to both the Shiroor Maths is continued to be extended. The digital video recorders at both the places have been sent to forensic science laboratory at Bengaluru, and report is yet to be received, he explained.

He refused to say whether footage in the records can be examined as they were thrown into river. He clarified that silver, gold valuables, and puja items found in base Math of Shiroor were kept in Shiroor Math locker by Sode Math representatives. He added that eight police teams are undertaking investigation in this case.