Swami Saswathikananda death: Chances of proving murder bleak
The Swami took several dips before he was found missing in Periyar river
THRISSUR: A top police official, who had earlier conducted the probe into the drowning of Swami Saswathikananda, welcomed the government decision to reprobe it, but said there was little possibility of establishing the murder charge.
He had wanted to seek a fresh probe to clear the doubts, he said and added all the seven officers, who had headed the probe at different stages, would welcome it.
“During my term as an investigating officer, inquiries were conducted into all the matters that Biju Ramesh has recently raised. What he told the police on Friday, which was recorded over four hours, could be brought out by filing an RTI query,” he told DC.
The police had earlier questioned Priyan, the alleged killer, in detail over the statements given by some persons that he was hired for murdering the Swami. But Priyan had denied such allegations and the inquiries in that direction had drawn a blank, he said.
About the letter citing Priyan’s role in the death of the Swami written by deputy superintendent of police R. Shaji, the accused in the Praveen murder case, the former investigating officer said that his team could not find it and most probably the version of those who have come up with the murder allegations now would be that such a letter was with the person who is not alive.
About the recent High Court query how the Swami, who was an expert swimmer, could drown, the officer said that the Swami did not swim on July 1, 2002, the fateful day, while taking bath.
The Swami took several dips before he was found missing in Periyar river. He was undergoing ayurvedic treatment then. The further investigation will clear those who are a shadow in the case, he added.