Swami's death: Chennithala says no further probe without fresh

Heated political debates continued to rage in Kerala today over the death of Sivagiri Mutt's former head Swami Saswathikananda even as the state's Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala made it clear that no further probe can be ordered without fresh evidence.
Various persons, including Kerala State Bar Hotel Onwers Association's working president Biju Ramesh, have alleged that the Swami had been murdered thirteen years ago and that SNDP head Vallpally Natesan and his son Thushar had a role in it.
"These allegations were investigated by the crime branch. Only if more evidence pours in, will there be a possibility of ordering further investigation," he said.

Adding fuel to the controversy, Sivagiri Mutt head Swami Prakashananda said he had earlier also expressed doubt about Swami Saswathikananda's death.
"It was not a natural death. There was a big injury on his forehead. He knew swimming very well and it was difficult to believe that he would have drowned," he told TV channels.
Meanwhile, Natesan said he was not afraid of a CBI probe into the Swami's death.

"Whatever happens I will stand by my decision to form a new political outfit. We will form a political party. There is no change," he told reporters at Alapuzha.
CPI(M) polit bureau member Pinarayi Vijayan demanded a comprehensive probe into the charges. "New revelations need to be probed. It is upto the government to decide who should probe the same," he told reporters at Kannur.

Swami Saswathikananda was found drowned in the Periyar river at Aluva on July 1, 2002.