‘Video manipulated’

Statesman News Service

CHENNAI, Jan. 13. — Kanchi Sankaracharya Jayendra Saraswathi today strongly reacted to the video clip showing his police interrogation, describing it as having been ‘‘manipulated.’’
The brief but explosive video clip, repeatedly aired on some private TV channels last night, in which the Acharya expresses anguish at his junior for not showing ‘‘concern’’ for him after he was arrested, has shaken the Sankara Mutt at Kancheepuram and its followers.
In a letter submitted on behalf of the Acharya to the SIT probing Shankararaman murder case, Kanchi Mutt advocate Mr A Shanmugham said: ‘‘The video clip was manipulated as if my client made some admissions, thereby causing damage to his reputation and wounding the feelings of devotees.’’ The Acharya, too, questioned the genuineness of the recording, which was apparently ‘‘leaked’’, the lawyer said.

In the 10-minute video, Sri Jayendra Saraswathi was heard complaining that his junior was only ‘‘concerned’’ that he or his brother should not be arrested.