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Q & A with Shri KrishnaKumar – Counsel for Sankaracharya

(Expressed in SC premises to TV Channels after the judgment for grant of bail was delivered on 10/1/05) - reported by Naganathan. S for Kanchi-sathya.org readers

Q: What is the gist of the SC verdict?
A: The SC has said they are of the opinion that prima facie a strong case has been made out for grant of bail to the petitioner.
Regarding the evidences the judges have commented that there is no evidence apart from the alleged confessions to show that the petitioner along with other accused was party to a conspiracy.
On the allegation that the Sankaracharya had kept Rs. 50 lakhs, received from the sale of Jan Kalyan property, in his room from April 30, 2004 and that this amount was utilised to pay the assailants, the Bench noted that the statement of accounts from the bank clearly showed the amount was deposited in the bank on May 7, 2004.
The Bench also ruled that the observations made in Pappu Yadav case cannot have general application so as to apply in every case including the present one wherein the court is hearing the matter for the first time.

Q: What are the pre-conditions set by the SC?
A: During the course of the arguments Mr.Nariman had offered that in light of the objections by state prosecutor that if let out on bail the investigation could suffer due to pressure on witnesses, the Sankaracharya would abstain from visiting the Mutt on his own initiative. This very offer has been accepted by the SC and translated into a precondition. Apart from this there are no other restrictions and the Seer if free to visit and travel any place he wants. He will also surrender his passport, which is a technical requirement for all bail applications. As it is there is no probability or plans of the Seer going out of the country.

Q: On release where will the Sankaracharya stay?
A: Once out on bail the Sankaracharya is free to travel and stay wherever he wants in India. He himself will decide on where he wants to stay.

Q: Do you believe that the evidence submitted by the government prosecutors has no substance and value?
A: What has been cited as evidence by the government prosecutor in the counter filed to our bail petition has all been evaluated by the SC and comments given in judgment which suggest that they have been rejected as not being ‘reasonable grounds’ for refusal of bail. It is more what the press has been publishing in the name of so called evidence which is more damaging. We don’t understand where you are getting all this information..though it is obvious that false information is being leaked. It is unfortunate that the press finds it worth to give publicity to all this false information. What has been submitted by the government in the counter is hardly 5%, most the remaining 95% are imaginations of the press. At least after the Sc verdict we hope the press plays a more responsible part.

Q: If the Sankaracharya cannot visit the Mutt and do pooja will he not be constrained in what he can do?
A: For the Sankaracharya it really does not matter whether he is in jail or in some other place as far as pooja goes. He continues to do his daily pooja and meditations wherever he is. It is us the devotees who are pained when he was in jail and want to watch him do pooja and give darshan. In this context I would like to mention that the Seer has been really pained by all the suffering that the people are undergoing due to the recent Tsunami tragedy. He has been wanting to visit the affected people and help / pray for them. In this regard he may want to visit various affected places to be with the affected people and give them solace.