Tuesday, January 11 2005 17:02 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Vellore: Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswati was today (Jan 11, 2005) released from the jail in Vellore exactly two months after he was arrested in connection with a murder case.

A beaming Shankaracharya came out at 16:30 hrs (IST) and was received at the jail gate by BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) leader Sushma Swaraj, VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) leader Ashok Singhal, former Union Minister S Thirunavukkarasar and a large number of mutt officials and devotees.

The Seer walked into the waiting yellow van of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam amidst tight security and headed for Kalavai, about 40 kms from Kancheepuram, as he has been barred from the Supreme Court from going to the Kanchi mutt.

A police vehicle followed his van as the smiling Jayendra waived to his admirers and cameramen without making any comments to waiting newspersons.

Many of the devotees fell at his feet as he waded through the crowd to go to his vehicle.

Mutt sources said the Seer would start conducting prayers at Kalavai from this evening itself.

The Supreme Court yesterday ordered the release of the Seer, who was arrested on November 11 in the Sankararaman murder case, on bail on his furnishing a personal bond and two sureties to the satisfaction of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Chengalput.

While granting bail, the apex court had castigated Tamil Nadu police for having gathered "no evidence or material" against him in the case.

"We are of the opinion that prima facie a strong case has been made out for grant of bail to Shankaracharya," a Bench comprising Chief Justice R C Lahoti, Justice G P Mathur and Justice P P Naolekar said while restraining the Seer from visiting the Mutt till probe into the case was completed.

The Court rejected the prosecution's claim that the tirade of Sankararaman against the alleged mal-administration of the Mutt and illegal activities of the Seer formed a major ground for the motive of Shankaracharya to eliminate him.

Hours after the Supreme Court ordered his release, Junior Shankaracharya of the mutt Jayendra Saraswati was taken into custody in connection with the same case.