Paryaya seer Sri Shiroor Laksmivaratheertha Swami (L) being greeted by Sri Sugunendra Thirtha Swami of Puttige during Paryaya programme in Udupi . (File Photo | EPS)
UDUPI: Advocate of Shiroor Mutt seer Lakshmivara Theertha- Ravikiran Murdeshwar, hours after seer's death has said that Shiroor seer had spoken about a threat to his life over the issue of an idol of presiding deity of his mutt.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Ravikiran, a Kundapur based lawyer, said, "Shiroor seer had asked to file a criminal case against all six seers barring Puttige Mutt Seer. I had prepared for the same. He had told about the threat to his life for almost 2 hours with me''.
''There should be a high-level enquiry into the suspicious death of the seer," he added. Sri Lakshmivara Theertha Swamiji, head of Shiroor Mutt, passed away on the wee hours of Thursday.
Dr Avinash Shetty, Medical Superintendent of Kasturba Hospital, Manipal said, "Seer might have consumed food laced with poison. We have informed the police about Seer's death. Post-mortem report will reveal the facts'' he said.
The post-mortem is carried out in the presence of Manipal police. Meanwhile, Vishwa Vijaya, sacked junior pontiff of the Pejavar Mutt has demanded a high-level enquiry into the death saying that the death was not natural. Since the seer was ill few months ago, he had given the idols of the presiding deity of his Mutt to Sri Ishapriya Theertha, junior seer of Adamar Mutt to keep at the sanctum sanctorum of the Sri Krishna Mutt.
But when he sought the idols back after his recovery, the seers of the six of the Mutts refused to hand over them. The six seers agreed to return the idols after he appoints an heir, which was not accepted by Shiroor Seer. He had even said that he would file a case on this regard.
