Mutt can use two accounts

‘‘The freezing of bank accounts has now rendered the performance of religious duties impossible,’’ Mahadevan said in the petition. ‘‘It is well settled that the mutt is a legal entity and will have to be seen as an entity distinct from the pontiffs, who preside over the mutt.’’

The judge directed the mutt to furnish a detailed copy of bank transactions before the court on January 25, with a copy marked to the public prosecutor. Also, the mutt would be required to file a statement of expenses with the chief investigation officer every day.

While the mutt counsel wanted permission to operate at least five accounts as its day-to-day activities were being hampered, the prosecution opposed the plea.

The judge observed, ‘‘In the circumstances, the petitioner is permitted to operate one current account and one savings bank account…’’ and posted the matter for further hearing on January 25.

Not much relief was in sight for the junior seer, though. The police had sought a five-day custody for Vijayendra. In his affidavit, investigation officer and ADSP S.P. Shaktivel had submitted that the junior pontiff had conspired with his brother, Raghu, and co-accused Appu and Ravi Subramaniam to murder Sankararaman.

The junior pontiff’s counsel noted that he had already been questioned twice by the SIT. However, public prosecutor S. Thyagarajan asserted that following Subramaniam’s confession, police custody of Vijayendrar had become necessary. The defence counsel said the police had sufficient time to interrogate Vijayendra since his arrest on January 10.