Monday, January 10 2005 20:40 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kancheepuram: The junior Shankaracharya of Kanchi Mutt, Vijayendra Saraswathi, who was arrested in Kancheepuram late this evening (Jan 10, 2005), was remanded to 15 days judicial custody by a local court tonight.

He was later taken to Chennai Central prison, where he would be lodged.

The Judicial Magistrate-I, G Uthamraj, before whom the junior Seer was produced, remanded him to judicial custody till January 24.

The junior Seer has been charged under Sec 302 (murder), read with Sec 34 (act committed with common intention) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC.

Vijayendra Saraswathi told the Magistrate that all the charges framed against him were "false."

"I have not done anything wrong," he told the Magistrate.

He also pleaded with the Magistrate to allow him to complete the 'dhanur masa pooja' today.