Shiroor (Hiriyadka): Lakshmivara Theertha Swamiji of Shiroor Mutt said that he would not hesitate to file a criminal case to get his Presiding Deity.

Speaking to reporters at Shiroor Mutt on Monday, the swamiji said that “Sri Krishna of the Sri Krishna Mutt is not my property. Sri Rama is not my property. But Anna Vittala is my property. If needed, I will not hesitate to file criminal case in the court to get my Presiding Deity back”, he said.

He gave a hint of taking a legal battle against the decision of Vidyadeesha Theertha Swamiji of Paryaya Palimaru Mutt, Pejawar Mutt swamiji and other swamijis who have denied returning the idol of Anna Vittala and others to Shiroor Swamiji.

“It is common practice that at the time of going to some places, people keep their valuables with their reliable persons and take them back once they returned home. If your reliable person declined to return your valuables, it means it is a robbery. In the same way, declining to return my Presiding Deity which was kept at Sri Krishna Mutt for pooja rituals is also a robbery”, the swamiji said.

Out of eight mutts, the seers of six mutts came together and held a meeting and they have taken a decision against Shiroor mutt. If he asked his Presiding Deity, they were pointing towards their leader. Everyone knew who is their leader, he said indirectly pointing at the Pejawar seer.

When asked about their decision of not returning the Presiding Deity unless accepting the disciple, the seer said “Who are those people to deny my Presiding Deity. I have to decide on accepting my disciple. There are many people to become disciple. I know whom to accept as my disciple”, he said.

“I would not go to any meetings even if they invite me. The main god of the mutt would get my Presiding Deity back”, he added.

Those who speak about following the traditions have not been following them properly. As per the tradition, the right of touching and offering pooja to the presiding deity and opening and closing the box in which the idol is being kept would rest with the respective seers. But when some swamijis were travelling in flights, the staff of the flight would touch the idols. Is that a right tradition, he asked.

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Karwar: Uttara Kannada police have cracked a murder case in which a Belagavi youth was killed and his body burnt inside a car to make it appear like a road accident.

Addressing a press meet in the city, Superintendent of Police Deepan M.N. said three accused from Old Hubballi have been arrested in connection with the case. The crime was a pre-planned act driven by personal enmity, he said.

The case came to light on April 8 morning when a car (KA-04/MJ-8996) was found completely burnt in a roadside ditch near Talekumbri bus stand in Yellapur. Only charred human remains were found inside the vehicle. Initially, it was suspected to be an accident caused by overspeeding, and a case was registered at Yellapur police station based on a complaint filed by the deceased’s father, Jagannath Dhapale.

However, the father later expressed suspicion that his son’s death was not accidental, prompting a detailed investigation.

Taking the matter seriously, two special teams were formed under the leadership of Yellapur Inspector Ramesh Hanapur. On analysing technical evidence and CCTV footage, police found that it was a planned murder.

The accused have been identified as Abdul Raheem Basheer Ahmed Mujawar (32), Maulasab Bavahan Wada (36) and Dadapeer alias Aftab Mehboob Saab Balasangi (22), all chicken traders from Old Hubballi.

Police have seized the car used in the crime along with two scooters. The accused have been remanded to judicial custody.

Investigations revealed that the accused killed Nitesh Dhapale due to personal enmity and later set the car on fire along with the body to project it as an accident.

SP Deepan M.N. appreciated the efforts of Inspector Ramesh Hanapur, PSIs Rajashekhar Vandali and Siddappa Gudi, and the entire team for solving the complex case.