1 more prosecution witness turns hostile in Sankararaman case

Puducherry, Feb 25 (PTI): One more prosecution witnessturned hostile today during trial in the Sankararaman murdercase, in which Kanchi Sankaracharya Jayendra Saraswathi andhis junior Jayendra Saraswathi are the main accused.

When hearing in the case resumed before the PrincipalDistrict and sessions Judge T Ramaswamy, only eight of the 24accused were present. The absentees included the two seers.

Special Public Prosecutor N Devadoss who examined thewitness, a former Village Administrative Officer, declared himhostile as he contradicted earlier statements.

He also examined another prosecution witness former PoliceInspector in Kancheepuram, since retired as DeputySuperintendent of Police).

The judge then adjourned the case to March 7, saying itwould be held for five days in a row from that date.

Of the 167 witnesses examined so far since commencement ofthe trial two years ago, as many as 76 have turned hostile.

Sankararaman, Manager of the Varadararjaperumal temple inKancheepuram, was allegedly murdered on the premises of thetemple on September 3, 2004.

The two seers had been accused of hatching a conspiracy tomurder Sankararaman.

The trial was shifted to Puducherry from Chengalpattudistrict court on Supreme Court''s order in October 2005. PTICOR APR