Probe in all directions, many interrogated: SP
Suspicious death of Shiroor seer
Udupi, July 21: SP Lakshman Nimbargi said that investigation was being conducted in all directions on the suspicious death of Lakshmivara Tirtha Swamiji of Shiroor Mutt and many were being interrogated related to the case.
Speaking to media at his office here on Saturday, the SP said that the swamiji who was admitted to the Gandhi hospital on July 17 following food poisoning, was shifted to KMC hospital of Manipal on July 18. But the doctors declared his death on July 19 at 8.30 am as he was not responded to the treatment. But there was no clarity on how he died and what food he had taken, he added.
When asked about the missing of some documents and things in the Shiroor Moola Mutt, the SP said that there was no such possibility after providing security to the mutt. If such thing happened, they would investigate it thoroughly. Shiroor Moola Mutt has CCTV cameras and the police teams would check the footage in detail. The police would also investigate on financial transaction between the swamiji and others, he said declining to answer the question on links with the underworld.
Investigation from many teams
As the incident happened in the Hiriyadka police station limit, Brahmavar circle inspector Shrikant was the investigating officer and he was being guided by Karkala DySP Belliyappa. Apart from this, many teams of expert and senior police officers were formed to investigate the case in all directions, the SP said.
Shiroor Mutt in Udupi and Moola Mutt near Hiriyadka were given police security. But the regular religious rituals in the mutt would not be affected by the security. The entry of people was restricted to some places in the mutt as there was a chance of missing the evidences and in view of the visit of senior police officers. Till the investigation is over, those places would be under police control. Investigation is being conducted even in the Shiroor mutt at Udupi, he said.
On phone record of Shiroor swamiji, the SP said that they have not yet checked the record. If needed, it would be taken into account and checked. There were lot of rumours about the death of the swamiji. But the police have taken it very carefully as it was a challenging one, he said and exuded confidence of cracking the case as early as possible.
FSL report
It would take minimum two weeks to get autopsy report. Cattle trader Hussainabba death autopsy report also came after two weeks. But it would take minimum six weeks to get FSL(Forensic Sicence Laboratory) report as each and every organ in the body will have to be tested. Till then, it was not possible to ascertain the cause of the death exactly, the SP said.
No one arrested
The police have not yet arrested anyone related to the case. But he would not disclose anything now as it would mislead the investigation. The police have been investigating the case as per the complaint lodged by the brother of the swamiji, the SP said.
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I need not indulge in any revolution, have confidence, hope: D K Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Amid the ongoing power tussle within the ruling Congress in Karnataka for the CM post, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday said he is with "utmost patience", and he has no need to indulge in any kind of revolution, as he believes in himself and has hope.
Asserting that he is neither interested in any kind of blackmailing for selfishness, nor is he interested in causing any trouble for the Congress, Shivakumar, who is also its state unit chief, said, though a "street fighter", his fight is never within the party.
Amid claims that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was using state intelligence to keep a tab on Shivakumar's camp through phone tapping during the ongoing power tussle, he stated that he doesn't know about it, and pointed out that the CM and Home Minister G Parameshwara have made statements on the issue.
"To this day, I have not spoken about the CM issue at any point. On matters concerning us, it is between me, the CM and the party high command. I have only said that we are party to the decision that has happened, other than that I have never said anything else," Shivakumar said in response to a question.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "Others have been saying the post will become vacant, Dalits should get the post, others should get it. It is others who want the CM post to become vacant, wanting it to be given to Dalits and others. I have never spoken about it. Only if the post is vacant can it be given to anyone else. I have never spoken about the post becoming vacant."
Noting that he is the Congress state president, Shivakumar said he is aware of that responsibility and has always tried to ensure that no harm is caused to the party because of him and that discipline is not violated.
"Being the president of the party, sitting in this chair, no one should point out to me that I have done injustice from this position, killing the party. I don't want anyone to pass such comments against me in the future. So, I'm with utmost patience, I know what is all happening, whether it is right or wrong. I'm aware of it," he said.
Highlighting that the Congress party was built, nurtured and sacrificed for by a number of workers and leaders, including him, he doesn't want lakhs of party workers to be troubled because of him.
"They (workers) have made us sit in power. Neither am I interested in indulging in any kind of blackmail for my selfishness, nor am I interested in causing any trouble for the party," he added.
Replying to a question about his hesitation to comment on the CM change issue and when it might happen, Shivakumar merely said, "Time will answer, and decide."
He, however, did not wish to respond to reports about party leadership, including AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, top leader Rahul Gandhi and General Secretary K C Venugopal having held a discussion on the leadership issue in Karnataka. "I don't know. I haven't spoken or asked anyone," he added.
Shivakumar, who is hosting a dinner party for party legislators on March 10 to mark his six years as Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President, responded to a question about his continuation in the post by saying, "New blood should come, youngsters should come with fresh ideas."
"(Ministers) Parameshwara, H K Patil, Ramalinga Reddy and I became Ministers during our first term as MLAs. Our term is over, we are senior citizens, and new people should come....enough for me six years (as KPCC chief), others should also get an opportunity," he said.
Questioned whether he was speaking like a "Yogi," he said, "I'm a street fighter....I have come so far fighting; I know how to fight, but not for power. My fight is not within the party; I will fight outside the party. If anyone thinks I'm quiet, it is left to them."
Asked whether there will be some "Kranti" (revolution) after the budget, he said, "I need not do any Kranti. I have belief in myself, I have self-confidence. I always have hope.....I need not put in any effort; whatever has to come to me, it will come at the appropriate time. I have that confidence. I will meet you soon."
Responding to a question about Siddaramaiah's statement -- that if the BJP and JD(S) leaders have any "evil idea" to woo Shivakumar, it is their "daydream" -- the Deputy CM said, "He (the CM) said that out of his experience, he has seen me closely both when he was in another party and after joining Congress."
Asked whether there were any attempts by BJP and JD(S) to woo him, he said, "I will write a story about it some other time.....why speak about it now."
To a question, whether he accepts Siddaramaiah describing the bond between them as "milk and honey", Shivakumar said, "Of course. It was the same earlier, it is the same now, and it will be the same in 2028."
When pointed out that the bond between him and the CM doesn't seem to be cordial amid the ongoing power tussle, and after listening to some legislators supporting him, he said, "I want to request all the legislators, if they have any desire, that good things should happen to me, please keep quiet."
Accusing the opposition leaders of trying to "sour the relationship" between him and Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah, earlier in the day, while rejecting phone tapping allegations, had asserted that such actions would not affect their relationship, which he described as being like "milk and honey."
