The Hindu
 
Bangalore, Jan 5: On the directions of a city court, the Bangalore police on Thursday registered a case of attempt to murder against Vishvesha Tirtha Swamiji of Pejawar Math, Udupi, and six others.

Acting on a private petition by K.S. Venkatesh, a Sanskrit professor at MES College here, the First Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court on Wednesday directed the Kempegowda Nagar police to investigate the complaint.

Complaint

Prof. Venkatesh had lodged a complaint before the court that the accused had illegally detained, assaulted and threatened to kill him as his friend had failed to return a loan he had taken from the swamiji.

Prof. Venkatesh had reportedly helped his friend in getting a loan of Rs. 12 lakh from the math. He had approached the court as the Kempegowda Nagar police allegedly refused to register his complaint.

Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Bipin Gopalkrishna said that in accordance with the court order, the Kempegowda Nagar police have registered a case against the accused under the Indian Penal Code Sections 307 (attempt to murder), 326 (causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons), 367 (abduction), 340 (wrongful confinement), and 506 (criminal intimidation).

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Chamarajpet sub-division) G.T. Nayak has been asked to investigate the case. As directed by the magistrate, the investigation report would be submitted to the court before February 23, Mr. Gopalkrishna said.

Vishvesha Tirtha Swamiji told The Hindu that the charges made by Prof. Venkatesh were false. The swamiji said he had not held out any threats to the complainant.

He said that through a disciple of the math, Prof. Venkatesh had borrowed Rs. 12 lakh for his friend Girish. He had claimed that Girish needed the money for a few hours and promised to return it soon after.

"With the good intention of helping someone in need, I withdrew the cash from the math's bank account and gave it to him. The money was part of the funds donated to the math by the public for social activities," the swamiji said.

After learning that the money belonged to the math, Mr. Girish returned Rs. 5 lakh and assured him that he would repay the remaining amount soon, the swamiji said. The swamiji said he had paid the money on the request of one his disciples. Vishvesha Tirtha Swamiji is one of the most prominent religious leaders in Karnataka. He is involved in several social and environment-related activities. He is a member of Kendriya Margadarshana Mandali of the Vishwa Hindu Parishat.