Chennai: Stating that he was innocent, the Kanchi Sankaracharya, Jayendra Saraswathi, today (Nov 12, 2004) said he had been "roped in" on the basis of a confessional statement given by the co-accused, already arrested in connection with the murder of Sankararaman, a temple official.

In his bail application filed before the High Court, he said he had already been questioned by the police on several occasions and had cooperated with them at all times.

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Pointing out that he was a "highly respected person," the pontiff, who was arrested in Mehboob Nagar near Hyderabad late last night (Nov 11, 2004) and lodged in Vellore prison this morning, said he was willing to abide by any condition laid down by the court, if granted bail.