Kochi: The High Court on Wednesday said a reinvestigation was needed into the death of Swami Saswathikananda, former head of Sivagiri Mutt, as there were doubts over the manner of his death.
The court order came while hearing a petition seeking further investigation into the death of Saswathikananda at the bathing ghat of Periyar near Aluva at 9am on July 1, 2002. The petition was filed by Isacc Varghese, president of Palakkad-based NGO All Kerala Anti Corruption and Human Rights Protection Council.
Observing that there is mystery over how Saswathikananda, who knew swimming, died due to drowning, the high court asked why the FIR was not submitted at the Magistrate court.
The court then ordered prosecution to file a detailed statement answering the allegations within two weeks.