Thiruvananthapuram: In a shocking twist to the mystery around the death of Swami Saswathikananda, the incumbent head of Sivagiri Mutt Swami Prakasananda on Sunday claimed that the death of the former head of the Mutt was a murder.
“When I saw the dead body of Saswathikanandan, I had felt that it was an unnatural death. There was a wound on his forehead. But it was said the injury happened amid the rescue operation,” said Prakasananda, who is also the president of Sivagiri Dharmasangam Trust.
Prakasananda also asked how Saswathikanandan, who knows swimming, would drown in the water.
“He was a healthy man. I had raised my doubts over his death then itself. I am not scared of anyone to say it again.”
Swami Saswathikananda, former head of Sivagiri mutt drowned at Periyar river near Aluva in Kochi on July 1, 2002.
Kerala State Bar Hotel Onwers Association Working President Biju Ramesh had alleged last night that Swami had been murdered and that SNDP chief Vellapally Natesan and his son Thushar had a role in it.
However, Vellapally rejected the charge.
"Biju is indulging in character assassination. I am ready to face any probe, including by CBI. He is trying to hamper SNDP's growth with the backing of some political parties," Natesan said at Cherthala when his reaction was sought to the charges.