'If a person knowing swimming drowns, then it is to be probed'

If a person who knows swimming dies of drowning, it is a matter to be investigated, the Kerala High Court today observed while hearing a petition seeking a further probe into the death of a seer.
"If there are doubts regarding his death, isn't it proper to conduct an investigation?' Justice B Kemal Pasha orally asked when a petition seeking further probe into the death of former Sivagiri mutt head Swami Saswathikananda came up before the court.
The petitioner, Issac Varghese, President of the Palakaad based NGO All Kerala Anti corruption and Human Rights Protection council, had sought further investigation into the swami's death by drowning on July 1, 2002.

Director General of Prosecutions (DGP) T Asaf Ali informed the court that police was ready for further probe, but it had not yet been started as there is no commission of offence.
When the court asked why the final report was not submitted to it, the DGP said as no investigation had been conducted, the final report was submitted to Sub Divisional Magistrate (Revenue Divisional officer).
The petition has been posted to December 14 for further hearing.

Kerala government had on October 31 announced further investigation into the death of the Swami following a Crime Branch report citing new "revelations" in the case.

Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala had said the decision was taken after the Crime Branch examined the "revelations" made recently on the Swami's death and was convinced that the case qualified for further investigation.
Kerala Bar Hotel Owners Association Working President Biju Ramesh, also leader of Sree Narayana Dharam Vedi, rival to SNDP, an organisation of backward Ezhava community headed by Vellapally Natesan, had alleged that the swami was murdered and that Natesan and his son Thushar had a role in it.
Dismissing the charges as baseless, Natesan had said he was ready to face any probe but maintained that Swami's death was a 'jal samadhi'.