Kancheepuram: The Kanchi Seer, Jayendra Saraswathi, one of the prime accused in the September 3 temple official murder case, was today (Nov 19, 2004) remanded to three-days police custody, from 12.05 hrs (IST) this afternoon to 10.30 hrs (IST) on Nov 22.

"After perusing the case diary and other documents, the court is satisfied that there are sufficient grounds for granting police custody of the accused. It is just and necessary for further investigation," the judicial magistrate-1 G Uttamaraja said, delivering the order in a packed court hall.

Spotlight: Kanchi Jayendra Saraswathi's Arrest

"Jayendra Saraswathi is hereby ordered to be granted police custody from 12.05 p.m. on 19/11/2004 to 10.30 a.m. 22/11/2004," he said.

The Magistrate also allowed an advocate of the Seer's choice 'to meet him' between 6.00 pm and 7.00 pm on all the days while in police custody and ordered that a Government doctor examine him every day.

The defence counsel then said that a member of the Thanjavur Bar Association, advocate V Krishnaswamy, has been nominated to call on the Seer at the appointed time.

Following this, the Sankaracharya was taken in a police van amidst tight security, to an undisclosed place.

The verdict was expected at 10.30 am. this morning after the Magistrate had reserved his orders yesterday (Nov 18, 2004), when both defence and prosecution completed their arguments. The Magistrate remained in his chambers and came to the court hall only at 11.30 hrs (IST).