Tuesday, January 18 2005 19:44 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: The Madras High Court today (Jan 18, 2005) directed the Tamil Nadu police to stop proceedings against VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) International Vice-President S Vedantham subsequent to the summons issued to him for his appearance in connection with the 'Sankararaman Murder Case' till January 20.

Giving the interim direction on a petition by Vedantham, seeking to quash two summons issued to him to appear before the special police team probing the murder, Justice M Chockalingam posted the petition for hearing on that date.

In his petition, the VHP leader claimed that the summons issued under sections 160 CrPC and 161 CrPC, were without jurisdiction as he resided outside the limits of Vishnu Kanchi Police station in Kancheepuram.

He contended that the sections empowered the police to only summon anyone residing within the jurisdiction of the respective police station or any adjoining station. Besides, he said, he was not aware of the facts and circumstances of the case.

Vedantham said he had received the first summons on January 12 at about 07:30 hrs (IST) and the second was sent the next day to his office at Bangalore.

Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswathi and junior Seer Vijendra are among several arrested in connection with the murder (Sep 3, 2004) of a temple official Sankararaman.