Andhra Police Arrest Raghavendra Tirtha Swamiji, Seize 20 Idols, Cash
Manju Neereshwallya
Daijiworld Media Network
Kadapa (AP), Oct 30: Raghavendra Tirtha Swamiji, former disciple and disowned successor of Shrimad Sudhindra Teertha Swamiji of Kashi Mutt Samsthan, was arrested by Andhra police at his flat in Indiranagar, Kadapa on Saturday October 29.
Raghavendra Tirtha Swamiji has been for sometime embroiled in a controversy over succession to Shrimad Sudeendra Teertha Swamiji and consequent court order to return the idols of the Mutt deities.
His neighbours in Indiranagar reportedly complained to the police about some clandestine activities going on in the flat, and also that unknown persons used to visit him.
Based on the complaint, a police team arrived at his home and arrested him, and also seized Rs 8.75 lac in cash and 20 idols.
Trouble for Raghavendra Swami started when a memorandum signed by 112 members of the Gowda Saraswat Brahmin Temples Association in Mangalore, was submitted to Sudhindra Tirtha, questioning his efficiency and religious capabilities in November 1999. This forced Raghavendra to request the senior to relieve him from dharmic activities pertaining to some institutions.
The senior swami acceded to his request. However, his followers cited the request as an open expression of religious disabilities and launched a campaign against Raghavendra, which led to his dismissal.
A dispute over the possession of idols then arose, and the Tirupati court had ordered that all the idols, movable assets and other paraphernalia belonging to Kashi Math must be restored to Sri Sudhindra Teertha Swamiji with immediate effect.
Raghavendra Tirtha then approached the Andhra high court, which upheld the decision. However, he refused to comply and evaded by stating that he was on religious tours. On October 12 he rented a flat from one Reddy in Indiranagar, and on October 29, he was arrested by the Andhra police. Apart from the cash, police also recovered a laptop and a 600-year-old gold Lakshmi Devi’s idol, a few Panchaloha Idols and tiger nails.
There are cases against him in Karnataka and Kerala too, and police teams from both states are on their way to Andhra Pradesh. He is likely to be handed over to Karnataka police on Sunday night or Monday, sources said.
(With Agency Inputs)