Shiroor Mutt seer Lakshmivara Theertha died of liver cirrhosis not poisoning: Forensic report

MANGALURU: Putting an end to the mystery surroundings the death of 55-year-old Sri Lakshmivara Theertha of Shiroor Mutt, Forensic Science Laboratory reports have confirmed that the death was due to liver cirrhosis and not poisoning.

Highly placed sources from Udupi district police have confirmed that natural death was due to liver cirrhosis, which result of excessive alcohol consumption. However, questions have arisen why doctors at Kasturba Hospital in their preliminary report suspected poisoning. Shiroor Seer was declared dead few hours he fell ill. He was admitted to Kasturba Hospital in Manipal on 18 July around 1.05am.

According to doctors, he was found critically ill with breathlessness, severe hypotension and massive gastrointestinal bleed. They also stated that there is a suspicion of poisoning and toxicological and samples have been sent for test.

Sources said that FSL reports have been received and sent to Kasturba Hospital to match with their investigations. “It will take few days to come to a logical conclusion about the death,” sources added.

Udupi police also will question doctors who claimed about suspected poisoning in the primary report. “We are going to question them about why they issued a statement on suspected poisoning and how it is possible when a person dies of liver cirrhosis. Is there a possibility of presence of poison element during the gastrointestinal bleed. All the statement will be recorded in writing,” source further added.

So far 80 people have been questioned after seer’s kin suspected foul play in his death. Sources added that not anyone of the person picked up for interrogation mentioned about poisoning or kill seer for any intentions. “Here we concluded that death was natural and there was no foul play.”

Meanwhile sources added that whatever media reports were carried out in regard to seer’s connection with real estate, relationships and others are true.

When TOI contacted Laxman Nimbargi, superintendent of police, Udupi said that they have received FSL report and refused to comment on about report results.