by reciprocal arrangement with Star of Mysore

Udupi, Jan 8: Pejawar Mutt Seer Sri Vishweshathirtha Swamiji has reportedly accepted that he had erred in extending monetary help to one Venkatesh, who had filed a case against him stating that his life had been threatened by the Swamiji.

Speaking to press persons here recently, the Swamiji said that the money was offerings from the devotees, which should have been used for some constructive work. As a helpful gesture, it was given to Venkatesh. That has been misused and it is a gross error, he repented.

"Venkateshacharya, a disciple of the Mutt (the present petitioner), had sought money to provide bank guarantee for one K.N. Venkatesh. I had offered Rs. 12 lakh to him which he had swindled. When asked to return, he had filed a case against me. I owe the moral responsibility for the error" said the Swamiji.

"In the meanwhile, Venkatesh had borrowed Rs. 5 lakh from one Girish. He repaid that from the money taken from me. After learning that the money belonged to the Mutt, Girish had returned the amount to me. Now, Venkatesh actually owes Rs. 7 lakh. The case is pending before the Court and I cannot elaborate further. For the error committed, I propose to go on fast for cleansing the mind", said the Seer.

Allegation against Seer 'baseless'

Bangalore, Jan. 8 (KCU)- The attempt to murder charge, made by lecturer Venkatesh against Pejawar Seer Sri Vishweshatheertha Swamiji has been proved baseless following an inquiry.

The Police have discovered that Venkatesh is a habitual cheat. Promising confirmation of jobs, he had allegedly collected Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 20,000 from lecturers of private unaided colleges and duped them during 1997-99.

When the lecturers sought their money back, Venkatesh had lodged complaints against them with the J.J. Nagar Police Station alleging that he had been threatened. The Police has filed a B-report before the court in 1999.

To ascertain the genuineness of the complaint by Venkatesh, Chamarajapet Police inquired the Principal of Sanskrit College, Haridas Bhat and lecturers Vijayen-dra, Satish, Gopal and Venkatacharya. Girish, who had obtained Rs. 12 lakh from the Mutt and Venkatesh's nephew Srinidhi are said to be good friends. To hide all those facts, Venkatesh had lodged a false complaint.

Venkatesh reportedly had gone to the Swamiji and sought Rs. 12 lakh for Girish, claiming that was the requisite amount needed for obtaining a loan of Rs. 1 crore. He promised to return the same immediately, saying that he was the witness for the loan. Trusting him, the Swamiji reportedly lent the money. Venkatesh, his sister, nephew Srinidhi and Girish all went to Koramangala and collected Rs. 12 lakh, it is learnt.

Girish and Srinidhi went missing since and the money was not returned. When the so-called witness Venkatesh was questioned by the Mutt authorities, he filed a false complaint, it was learnt from the inquiry.