HC moved for further probe into Saswathikananda's death

Kochi: The Kerala High Court Monday directed the state police to produce all documents relating to the investigation into the mysterious death of Ezhava spiritual leader Swami Saswathikananda 13 years ago.

Hearing a petition seeking further investigation into the death, the court also directed the police to file a statement on the probe.

Justice B Kamalpasha passed the interim order on the petition by Palakkad-based NGO All Kerala Anti Corruption and Human Rights Protection Council.

The state Director General of Prosecution told the Court that the government was prepared to investigate the matter further if new materials were available.

However, he submitted that on the basis of hearsay evidence and media reports no investigation can be conducted.

The swami allegedly drowned at the bathing ghat of Periyar near Aluva when he went for bathing on July 1, 2002.

The local police had probed the case and concluded that it was an accidental drowning.

The issue has come to focus recently after Kerala State Bar Hotel Owners' Association's working president Biju Ramesh alleged that the Swami's death was a murder and Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam General Secretary Vellappally Natesan and his son Thushar had a role in it.