Kerala govt to reopen case of Sivagiri mutt head Swami Saswathikananda’s death

[related-post]

Swami’s body was found in a river near an ashram at Aluva in Kochi in 2002. The police had closed the case, terming it an incident of drowning. However, the issue was reopened recently after the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP), a prominent Hindu Ezhava outfit, decided to join hands with the BJP in the local polls. Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan’s rival and businessman Biju Ramesh alleged that the Swami was murdered at the behest of Natesan.

Ramesh alleged that Natesan and the spiritual guru had differences over financial dealings at the Yogam, which was then headed by Natesan.

The Swami’s family also expressed the desire for the case to be reopened. Since Natesan has an electoral understanding with the BJP, the CPI(M) mounted a blistering attack on Natesan. Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan, too, raked up the issue.

Last week, the spiritual guru’s family moved the Kerala High Court, seeking a directive to the police to reopen the case.

While hearing the petition, the court had observed how an able swimmer like Swami could drown in a bathing ghat which he had been familiar with. Natesan had refuted the allegations.

Incidentally, the decision for a fresh probe into the death comes on the eve of local body elections in the state.