Daijiworld Media Network - Chamarajanagar (SP)

Chamarajanagar, Dec 20: The incident in which devotees were served with rice bhath mixed with poisonous substance by way of Prasadam, which has caused death of 15 so far and hospitalization of about a hundred people, is heading to logical conclusion.

On Wednesday December 19, the police arrested four persons accused of involvement with this dastardly act. President of Maramma temple trust, Sulvadi in Kollegal taluk in the district, who also happens to be the junior Swamiji of Salur Math at Mahadeshwara Hills, identified as Immadi Mahadeva Swamy, the police investigation so far reveals, is the kingpin of the entire episode.

Immadi Mahadeva Swamy

Other three accused

In addition to Immadi Mahadeva Swamy (52), Ambika (35) from Martalli village, trust manager, Martalli Madesh (46) who also happens to be the husband of Ambika, and temple priest, Doddayya Tambadi (35) were arrested. On being produced in the presence of the district judge, they were remanded to police custody till December 22.

South zone inspector general of police, Sharath Chandra, who addressed a press conference on Wednesday evening, explained that a foundation stone laying ceremony had been held on December 14 for the construction of main tower. The temple trust had arranged to supply rice bath to the visiting devotees. 15 persons died and over a hundred devotees took ill after consuming this Prasadam. Relating to this heinous crime, a case was registered in Ramapura police station against the temple trust and cooks, he stated.

Trust president, Immadi Mahadeva Swamy, had differences with other trustees, Neelakanta Shivachari, Shashibimba, Chinnappi etc on some financial transactions.   Overlooking objections by the Swamy, the temple trust was registered, as a result of which the junior Swamiji lost control over finances. This gave rise to enmity between two groups, one headed by the junior Swamiji, and the other by Chinnappi.

There were differences over the construction of the main tower too. Immadi Mahadeva Swamy, who grew angry over decisions being taken against his wishes, wanted to fix his enemies in criminal case by using poison, Sharath Chandra said.

Ambika collected two bottles of monocrotophos, a poisonous insecticide, from a relative working in the department of agriculture, by falsely claiming that plants in her house garden are affected by some disease.   She called priest of the temple, Doddayya Tambadi, who belonged to her faction, and advised him to mix this poisonous substance in rice bhath. She also told him that her husband would be helping him in this job. On December 14, when cooks were away, they had mixed poison to the rice bhath.

When some devotees expressed suspicion about the smelly rice bhath, Madesh reportedly asked them to consume it, clarifying that Borneo camphor had been added to the food as flavour. During the investigation, the police came to know that the office bearers of the trust had consumed food prepared at their homes.

The police officer said that the name of the agricultural official involved cannot be revealed at this stage as there is perception of danger to his life.