SNDP chief Vellapally Natesan today rejected the charge that he and his son had a role in the death of Swami Saswathikanandan, former head of Sivagiri Mutt in July 2002, and said he was ready to face any probe, including by CBI.
Kerala State Bar Hotel Onwers Association Working President Biju Ramesh had alleged last night that Swami had been murdered and that Natesan and his son Thushar had a role in it.
"Biju is indulging in character assassination. I am ready to face any probe, including by CBI. He is trying to hamper SNDP's growth with the backing of some political parties," Natesan said at Cherthala when his reaction was sought to the charges.
Natesan, General Secretary of Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana, an organisation of the numerically strong Ezhava community in Kerala, pointed out that a crime branch probe into Saswathikananda's death had confirmed that he drowned in Periyar river.
On the bar bribery charges levelled by Ramesh against Finance Minister K M Mani and Excise Minister K Babu, he said the same type of character assassination had occurred in this case also.
Swami Saswathikananda, former head of Sivagiri mutt drowned at Periyar river near Aluva in Kochi on July 1, 2002.
Ramesh, a leader of rival outfit called Sree Narayana Dharam Vedi, had alleged that Swami was murdered by one Priyan, a convict in a murder case, now in prison.
He also alleged that Priyan himself had told him of Natesan's involvement in the murder.
Earlier, Kerala High Court had rejected a plea by Swami's family for a CBI probe, holding that the crime branch investigation was proceeding in the right direction.
Ever since SNDP expressed its readyness to tie up with BJP in the state, Congress and CPI(M) have unleashed a war of words against Natesan.
CPI(M) veteran and state Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan had alleged there were irregularities in the micro-financing scheme run by SNDP and also levelled bribery charges against him in connection with appointments and admission in educational institutions run by the Yogam.
