Is junior pontiff next in line?

NT Bureau
Chennai, Jan 1:

It is a speculation that is impossible to ignore. It is also a speculation that also seems pretty logical. With all the top names in the Kanchi Sankara Mutt, the question now is whether the junior pontiff Sri Vijayendra Sarswati is also going to be arrested.

Police sources say that may well be the case. But they are not ready, at least as yet, to go record about that. They also indicate that Appu and contractor Ravi Subramaniam may also be arrested in connection with the auditor Radhakrishnan assault case.

The case has been the long-running story in Tamilnadu ever since the Kanchi seer Sri Jayendra Saraswati was arrested 11 November for his alleged role in the murder of Varadarajaperumal temple manager Sankararaman (he had been hacked to death 3 September). The Seer was subsequently arrested in connection with the assault case, too.

Appu alias Krishnaswamy, Contractor Ravi Subramaniam, who were declared the prime accused in the murder case, surrendered themselves after a lot drama, intrigue and suspense. Meanwhile, the Kanchi mutt manager Sundaresa Iyer was also arrested.

The Special Investigation Team, investigating the murder case, interrogated Kanchi Junior Acharya Sri Vijayendra Saraswati's brother Raghu and arrested him two days ago.The junior Acharya was also summoned for interrogation twice.

Meanwhile, Ravi Subramaniam, has given an confessional statement under Sec 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code before the Kanchipuram Judicial Magistrate II, V Damodharan.

The focus of all attention in the case now is this confessional statement.

All manner of guesses and conjectures are rife on this confession. Sources say that Ravi Subrmaniam, in his confessional statement, has reportedly mentioned about his links with Kanchi Acharyas.

Any way, Ravi Subramaniam's judicial custody has been extended up to 12 January. Police sources also indicate that Appu and Ravi Subramaniam would also be arrested in the auditor Radhakrishnan assault case.

Meanwhile, the fate of Jayendra Saraswati's bail plea, who sought it in the 'Radhakrishnan assault case', will be known on Monday when the Madras High Court gives its ruling.

Justice R Balasubramanian, hearing the Sankaracharya's bail application, fixed 3 January for giving orders on it after hearing arguments by senior Supreme Court lawyer, K T S Tulsi, appearing on behalf of the prosecution and the Seer's counsel M Satyanarayanan.

After the Principal Sessions Court here had dismissed his bail application earlier this month, the Seer had moved the Apex Court. The Supreme Court had directed the seer to approach the Madras High Court following which the Sankaracharya filed the present bail plea on 20 December.