Seer laying claim to Puri Peeth arrested

Seer laying claim to Puri Peeth arrested
ENS AND AGENCIES

BHUBANESWAR/PURI, JULY 17: Swami Adhokshajananda, the claimant for the Sankaracharaya of Puri Goverdhan Peeth, was today arrested by the city police for obstructing government officials from serving a court order.

The city police had to break open the main gate of the house to arrest him, along with seven others under Section 173, 188, 186 and 204 of the CrPC after he tore up the court order served on him restricting his movement in the holy city.

Swami Adhokshajananda who arrived here on July 15 last to observe `Shrabana Brata' for two months threatened to move the court against Swami Nischalananda Saraswati, the present Sankaracharaya of Puri, for occupying the seat illegally.

He alleged that Swami Nischalananda Saraswati manoeuvred to proclaim himself the Sankaracharaya of Goverdhan Peeth with the help of the local officials. He had also in the past attempted twice to come to Puri to occupy the seat but was restrained by the district authority who did not allow him to stay in the holy town apprehending law and order problem.

Swami Adhokshajananda refused to open the room when policemen came to arrest him after breaking the main gate and the door. Later, he opened the door at the advice of his counsel who rushed from Cuttack to persuade him to surrender before the police.

Seven other supoporters of Swami Adhokshajananda who were also present inside the house were arrested by the police. The sub-divisional magistrate of Puri had earlier issued an order restricting his movement in the town.

But Swami Adhokshajananda moved the High Court challenging the order of the magistrate saying that such order was violative of Article 14, 21, 19(1) (B) and 25 of the Constitution. The High Court which heard the matter today fixed up the next hearing on July 20, while serving notice through special messenger to the Puri District Collector, the Superintendent of Police, the sub-collector and the officer in-charge of town police station.

Meanwhile, Orissa Law minister Biswabhusan Harichandan today announced in the Assembly that the Endowment Department has recognised Swami Neeschalananda Saraswati as the Shankaracharya of the Puri Goverdhan Peeth and does not recognise any rival claim to the seat.

Making a statement in the House during zero hour, the minister said there is no second Shankaracharya of Puri.