Shiroor mutt seer passes away, poisoning suspected

The head of Udupi-based Shiroor mutt Sri Laxmivara Teertha Swamiji passed away today at a private hospital in Manipal, with doctors voicing "suspicion of poisoning" and the kin suspecting foul play.

The 54-year old pontiff was admitted to KMC Hospital in Manipal in the neighbouring Udupi district after he vomitted blood and complained of breathlessness yesterday, the mutt sources said.

Shiroor mutt is one among the 'ashta' (eight) mutts around Udupi, established by 13th century philosopher Madhwacharya.

As the seer's brother and others suspected foul play and sought an inquiry, the Karnataka government said the demand would be looked into.

According to a hospital statement, the seer was found to be critically ill with breathlessness, severe hypotension and massive gastrointestinal bleeding when he was brought.

"A team of doctors provided medical care in the form of ventilator support, blood transfusion and dialysis. There is suspicion of poisoning and toxicological samples have been sent," the statement said.

The condition of the seer continued to deteriorate rapidly in spite of the best efforts of the medical team and he was declared dead at 8 am today, it added.

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."