Case registered against controversial godman

Kochi, May 11: Police today registered a case against Swami Amrithachaithanya alias Santhosh Madhavan under the Wildlife Protection Act for possession of tiger skin worth Rs 1.5 lakh, which was seized during a raid conducted on his flat.

Police said Swami, on whom a look-out notice was issued by the 'International Criminal Police OrganiSation' (Interpol), in a financial fraud case in the UAE, was not present at the apartment.

The raid was conducted yesterday following a complaint, which was filed through e-mail and fax, by Dubai-based Keralite Sarafin Edwin that the Swami cheated Rs 40 lakhs from her.

Besides the tiger skin, the police also confiscated articles, including pornograhic CDs and magazines, a police uniform, liqour bottle and some documents related to land deals.

A guest house owned by Swami was raided on May 8, following media reports that he had criminal antecedents.

UNI