Shiroor seer’s death; poisoning suspected

Udupi: In a press note release post the Shiroor mutt seer’s death, KMC Manipal Hospital said that there is suspicion of poisoning.

On July 18th, around 1 am, Lakshmivara Theertha Swamiji was brought to Kasturba Hospital, Manipal from a private hospital in Udupi. He was critically ill on arrival bearing symptoms of breathlessness, severe hypotension and massive gastrointestinal bleeding. He had history of diarrhoea prior to this episode. All routine investigations were done.

Ventilator support, blood transfusion and dialysis were provided to the Swamiji by a team of doctors from Kasturba hospital. There is suspicion of poisoning and toxicological samples have been sent. But the condition of the seer deteriorated rapidly and on July 19th, the seer was declared dead at 8 am, read the release.

Earlier, Ravikiran Murdeshwar, an advocate representing the Shiroor Math seer Lakshmivara Theertha Swamiji had mentioned that the seer had cited threat to his life over the issue of idols of presiding deities of his Math.

“The seer had asked to file a criminal case against all 6 seers barring Puttige Swamiji. I had prepared for the same. He had discussed the threat to his life for almost 2 hours with me,” informed the lawyer.

Death by Poison?

Dr Avinash Shetty, medical superintendent of KMC, said, “Seer might have consumed food laced with poison. We have informed the police about seer’s death. Post-mortem report will reveal the facts.”

The post-mortem is carried out in the presence of Manipal police.

Vishwa Vijaya Swami, junior pontiff of the Pejawar Math has demanded a high-level enquiry into the death citing that the death was not natural.