Hearing in the Sankararaman murder case, in which Kanchi seer Jayendra Saraswathi and his junior Vijendra Saraswathi are the main accused, was adjourned to November 25 by a local court here in view of the boycott of courts by lawyers.
The advocates boycotted courts in keeping with the decision of Bar Association of Puducherry in support of their charter of demands.
The Principal district and sessions Judge D Krishnaraja posted the hearing to November 25.
Of the 24 accused, only 12 were present in court on Thursday.
The absentees included the two Seers, who have been charged under sections 120 (B) (conspiracy) and 302 (murder).
Sankararaman, manager of Varadarajaperumal temple in Kancheepuram, was allegedly murdered on the premises of the temple on Sept 3 2004. Trial in the case had been shifted to Puducherry and is being held here since the last few months.
So far 21 witnesses have been examined and five have turned hostile. Nineteen more witnesses will be examined on Nov 25.
The special public prosecutor N Devadoss later told reporters that the boycott by lawyers, coupled with leave for courts tomorrow on eve of Diwali-eve as per the decision of the Madras High Court (within whose jurisdiction courts in Puducherry fall) are the reasons for the case being adjourned to November 25.
