Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, May 13: A day after reports of an FIR being lodged against Sri Samyamindrateertha Swamiji of Kashi Math in connection to a cheating case in Suratkal police station, Kashi Math has countered the allegations.
Sri Raghavendrateertha Swamiji had filed a complaint against Sri Samyamindrateertha Swamiji of Kashi Math for alleged cheating, criminal conspiracy and breach of trust. In a statement to the press, GSB temple association president and auditor Jagannath Kamath has stated that the allegations against Sri Samyamindrateertha Swamiji are false and baseless, and aimed at maligning his reputation.
In a statement, Kamath said, "In the year 1994 some powers and duties were entrusted to the complainant – Raghavendrateertha – by the then Matadhipathi Srimad Sudhindrateertha Swamiji. Abusing such entrusted duties and powers he illegally deposited the funds of Sri Kashi Math Samsthan, Varanasi in his personal name contrary to the accounting principles of the Math and with ulterior motives. That was objected to by the auditors of the Samsthan, but he brushed aside their objections and continued to deposit huge amounts in his personal name.
"Finding these deposits in his personal name, the income tax authorities had seized the deposits and sent notice to Raghavendrateertha. It was submitted to the income tax authorities that these deposits are the funds of Sri Kashi Math Samsthan, and they reflected in the balance sheet of Sri Kashi Math Samsthan. These facts were also brought to the notice of income tax authorities by the said Raghavendrateertha in a bid to get the seizure withdrawn by the tax authorites," the release stated.
"In the meantime he filed a suit before the third additional district court, Tirupathi to declare him as the Matadhipathi of Sri Kashi Math Samsthan, Varanasi. Srimad Sudhindrateertha Swamiji filed a counter claim for statutory injunction against him to not to interfere in the affairs of Sri Kashi Math Samsthan, Varanasi. His suit was dismissed with cost and the counter claim was allowed with cost by the Tirupathi court. On appeal to the high court of Andhra Pradesh, court dismissed his appeal with cost and it was the confirmed by the court that he should not interfere in the affairs of Sri Kashi Math Samsthan and this order attained finality.
"During the period of the matter pending in court, the Tirumala Math was being managed by him (Sri Raghavendrateertha) through the managers appointed by him. The accounts pertaining to the period is not submitted and the amounts were dealt in cash without depositing in any bank and the entire amount is misappropriated by Raghavendrateertha and his associates. A complaint has been registered against Raghavendrateertha and his associates and the CBCID of Andhra Pradesh police are investigating the matter. Raghavenda Thirtha was arrested and is on bail," the release stated.
"In spite of this injunction against him, after the Mahasamadhi of Srimad Sudhindrateertha Swamiji, he (Sri Raghavendrateertha) fraudulently formed a trust called Shree Kashi Math Samsthan Varanasi (Benaras) Trust. Srimad Samyameendrateertha Swamiji has obtained stay against Raghavendrateertha, his fraudulent trust and trustees from interfering in the affairs of Sri Kashi Math Samsthan, Varanasi, not to use the photographs of earlier Matadhipathis etc, and not to operate any accounts, among others.
"Under such circumstances, he has no authority to file any complaint and the complaint filed by Raghavendrateertha is in violation of the court orders. The deposited amounts are the funds of Shree Kashi Math Samsthan, Varanasi," the release said.
"Suratkal police have not followed due process while registering the FIR. They have not given any notice for enquiry to the persons shown as accused in the FIR," it said, adding, "Sri Kashi Math Samsthan Varanasi will take proper legal remedy and reserves the right to initiate both civil and criminal action against Raghavendrateertha."