Shiroor mutt seer passes away, poisoning suspected

The head of Udupi-based Shiroor mutt Sri Laxmivara Teertha Swamiji died today at a private hospital at Manipal , doctors said, adding there is suspicion of poisoning.

"There is suspicion of poisoning and toxicological samples have been sent. However, his condition continued to deteriorate rapidly in spite of the best efforts of the medical team,"
KMC medical superintendent Dr Avinash Shetty said as per norms, the hospital had informed the police about the seer's death and "the post-mortem report will reveal the facts."
In Bengaluru, asked about suspicion being raised about the circumstances surrounding the death, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said "if there are suspicions and if there is need to conduct an inquiry, it will be looked into."
Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister G Parameshwara said: "Many have expressed suspicion about Swamiji's death. If there is a need to conduct an inquiry we will do it. At the present situation no one has come to us on this."