ome Minister Ramesh Chennithala has said the Crime Branch, which had probed the death of Swami Saswatikananda, was not averse to reopening the case on receiving fresh evidence.
Talking to media persons in Aluva on Saturday, Mr. Chennithala said though the investigating agency had submitted a final report to the High Court two years ago, it could resume the probe under Section 8 of the Cr.PC 173 if new revelations were to emerge.
Regarding an allegation by businessman Biju Ramesh that Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan was behind the death of the Swami, the Minister said it was not for the first time that such complaints were being raised.
‘‘There is nothing new in these allegations. If there is anything new, it will be dealt with accordingly,’’ he said.
The Swami was found drowned in the Periyar, near the Adwaithashramam, at Aluva on July 1, 2002.
To another query, the Minister said he had not received any complaints against the microfinance scheme of the Yogam.
‘‘I am not sure if the government received any such complaints prior to my term and that needs to be verified,’’ the Minister said.
There is nothing new in these allegations. If there is anything new, it will be dealt with accordingly: Chennithala
