Kancheepuram: In a twist to the ongoing investigation into the Sankararaman murder case, in which Kanchi Seer Jayendra Saraswathi has been arrested, one of the five key accused today (Nov 24, 2004) did a turnaround, saying all his earlier statements were made under "duress".

Kathiravan told a remand court in Kancheepuram this evening that he was tortured by the police, who extracted statements from him.

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Stating that the police picked him up on November 3, he said the police had beaten him right from that day and compelled him to give statements as tutored by them.

The prosecution had been maintaining that the Seer was arrested on the information provided by Kathiravan and another accused Rejini alias Chinna, both arrested on November 9.

Kathiravan had made an in-camera statement under Sec 164 of CrPc before another magistrate court in Kancheepuram on November 19.

Kathiravan's 'U' turn came when he and Chinna were produced before Judicial Magistrate I G Uthamaraj for extension of their 15-day judicial remand which expired today.

Chinna also intervened to say that he was also tortured by the police and he was suffering from some health problems.

Kathiravan during his submission said the police compelled him to endorse whatever they said in the case.

At one stage, the prosecution objected to the recording of his statement, but the magistrate overruled it and allowed him to complete his submission.

After recording their submissions, the Magistrate extended their remand till December 8.