Wednesday, November 9 2005 17:55 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chengalpattu (TN): Hearing in the Sankararaman murder case in which the Kanchi Seer Jayendra Saraswathi and his junior Vijayendra are the main accused, will resume in a Pondicherry Sessions court on November 26.

Following receipt of the Supreme Court order transferring the case, a sessions court here today (Nov 9, 2005) ordered that all the 24 accused must be present in the Pondicherry sessions court on November 26.

The copy of the orders were received by the Sessions Court today. The Kanchi seers were not present, having filed a petition seeking to dispense with their personal appearance.

Another accused, Kathiravan, lodged in the Tiruchi prison, could not be brought to the court due to heavy rain. All the other accused were present.

The Judge, GM Akbar Ali said all the documents relating to the case would be transferred to the Pondicherry Court by November 26. On October 26,the Supreme Court ordered the shifting of the case pending against Jayendra Saraswathi and others before the Principal Sessions court, Chengalpattu, to the Principal District and Sessions Court, Pondicherry.

Due to the petition filed by Jayendra Saraswathi in the Apex Court seeking transfer of the case, framing of charges in the case had been getting adjourned during the past three months.

The case relates to the murder of temple official Sankararaman on September 3, 2004.

Besides the Acharyas, there are 22 other accused in the case including Kanchi Mutt Manager, Sundaresa Iyer, and Raghu, brother of the junior seer.

The Kanchi seer was arrested on November 11 in connection with the case and released on bail on January 10 this year.