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Junior seer seeks CBI probe

What is India News Service, Monday, 15 November 2004, 2000 hrs IST


The junior seer of the Kanchi Mutt, Sri Vijayendra Saraswati, has sought a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the arrest of Sri Jayendra Saraswathi. 

"The swamiji is of the view that only a CBI probe can help get to the truth and ensure justice," former BJP member of Parliament from Mehaboobnagar A P Jithender Reddy said, quoting the junior pontiff. 

Since Shankara mutts are located across the country, only an investigation by a central agency can ensure justice, he said quoting the junior pontiff. 

Though Sri Vijayendra Saraswathi has been avoiding the media, he has been airing his views before the 'peetadhipatis' (heads of the mutts) who have been meeting him.

Arrest premature, says Swamy: Janata Party president Dr Subramaniam Swamy said the arrest was a reckless infringement of the seer's personal liberty.

In a press release, he described the arrest as "clearly premature". While no one was above the law, the Supreme court had repeatedly held that the authority of the police to effect an arrest "should be exercised with great care and only when necessary for furtherance of the investigation", he said.

"It is not the police's prima facie case that Sankaracharya committed the murder, he only conspired to abet it," Swamy said.

The arrest and the remand of the seer was a "make or break test" for the Jayalalithaa government, Swamy said, and wondered "why Sankaracharya had to be arrested on Deepavali eve while on a visit to another state".

"Later, if Sankaracharya is acquitted by court, the arrest will not only be a reckless infringement of his personal liberty, but also an unforgivable affront to the Hindu community", he said.

Nationwide protests against acharya's arrest: Criticising the arrest of Sri Jayendra Saraswathi, hundreds of Vishwa Hindu Parishad activists took to the streets as part of their nation-wide campaign demanding his immediate release.

Seer’s arrest under pressure, says Advani: The internal security scenario in the country has worsened in the past six months under the UPA Government, according to BJP chief L K Advani.

17 arrested so far:  Police investigating the Sankararaman murder case have disclosed the names of those arrested.

Devotees will move apex court: With the arrest of the Kanchi seer gradually snowballing, his devotees are planning to move a bail application in the Supreme Court.

CPM urges Centre,TN to pursue case with sensitivity: The CPI(M) politburo on Sunday asked both the Centre and the Tamil Nadu Government to continue their joint efforts in prosecuting the Kanchi Sankaracharya, Jayendra Saraswati.

NDA for "negotiated settlement" to Ayodhya issue: Capping the controversy over BJP's stand on the Ayodhya issue, NDA allies Monday decided to further strengthen the opposition alliance and preferred a "negotiated settlement" to the Ram temple issue. 

Atmosphere conducive for Indo-Pak talks, feels Natwar
The atmosphere is conducive for talks between India and Pakistan and New Delhi is giving it the "best shot", External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh said on Monday.

Congress rules out return of P A Sangma into party: Congress Monday ruled out the return of former Lok Sabha speaker and Nationalist Trinamool Congress leader P A Sangma into the party.

Time to heal Kashmiris' wounds, says Manmohan Singh: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the people of Jammu and Kashmir had suffered a great deal due to militancy during the past decade and a half and that it was time to heal their wounds. 

Bhopal faces risk of poisoning : Twenty years after the gas tragedy, thousands of people in and around Bhopal remain at the risk of poisoning by toxic waste contained in drinking water, a BBC report claimed on Sunday.

Militants kill three policemen, flee with weapons: Militants dressed in Army fatigue killed three police constables keeping vigil at a minority community guard post at Nadimarg in Jammu and Kashmir, and fled with their weapons.

Royal Society team to visit B’lore: The prestigious science establishment is keen to increase ties because it considers India the gateway to the developing world.
 
States

Blast in Amritsar shopping complex: A massive explosion took place in the Nehru shopping complex on Monday. The blast was so powerful that its sound could be heard in distant areas of the city. However, no injury has been reported.

Bihar's health services badly hit: Health services in Bihar have been badly affected since government and private doctors launched an indefinite strike last night, protesting against the murder of a doctor last Friday.

Security alert in Manipur: The security forces were put on alert today following a bomb explosion at Kangla. Sixteen persons were injured in the blast.

Bundh paralyses traffic in Jharkhand, building blown up: Maoist guerrillas of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) enforced a 24-hour bundh in Garhwa district of Jharkhand on Sunday and blew up an office belonging to the forest department. 



Neighbours

Pervez plan on way to Delhi: Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz will formally put forward General Pervez Musharraf’s proposals for Kashmir when he arrives in India later this month.
 
Hopes rise for UN workers' release: Afghanistan's government said on Tuesday that progress had been made towards freeing three foreign UN workers held by militants, as one of the hostages called home to say she is in good health. 

View from abroad

Cherie charts charity mission to India: The British Prime Minister’s wife, Cherie Blair, will visit India from November 26-29 in connection with a charity of which she is president, it was confirmed on Sunday.



Overall:

Kanchi seer's devotees protested countrywide: Sri Jayendra Saraswathi's devotees plan to approach the Supreme Court so that they could have him released on bail.

PM said it was time for healing in Kashmir: He is making goodwill gestures and striking a conciliatory note on the eve of his visit to the state.

Pakistan said it would make Musharaff's proposals formal: Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz will bring Musharaff's new Kashmir proposals when he comes to India.