Judicial probe sought into Swami's death

Trivandrum, India, Jul. 6 2002 (INS News) -- Vijayan, brother of Swami Saswathikananda who was drowned to death in Periyar River, Kerala on Monday last, has demanded a Judicial probe into the death.

Speaking to a TV channel at his residence in Manacuad, Trivandrum, Kerala, Vijayan informed that he will petition the Chief Minister, Opposition leader of the State of Kerala, within a week seeking a judicial probe into the untimely death of the Swami.

Vijayan pointed out that, Sabu, one of Swami's assistants, has not been heard of after Swami's death.

Swami's mother Kausalya, who lives with Vijayan also expressed doubts about her son's death. The family members also said that they have been receiving anonymous calls telling them to seek a probe into death and offering evidence to prove that Saswathikanada's death was not accidental.

Meanwhile, reports from Sivagiri Mutt at Varkala (53 Km from Trivandrum), where he was the former Head of Mutt, say that the police team investigating the death, could not take the statement of Sabu, as the Mutt authorities said that he was not mentally stable to answer the questions. Sabu, Swami's personal assistant has been staying in the Mutt since Swami's death.

-- Binu Raveendranath in Trivandrum, India
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