Mangaluru : Sri Lakshmivara Theertha Swamji, one of Seers of the Udupi Astha Mutt passed away on 19th Thursday at Kasturba Medical College Hospital at Manipal, due to suspicion poisoning according to the doctors. He was 55 years.

It is said, that he was keeping good health. On Tuesday the 17th morning it is said that shiroor swami complained of stomach pain, and got himself admitted to Gandhi Hosptial, Udipi which is said to be run by his relative. On the same day it is said he was shifted to KMC, Manipal where he did not respond to treatment and died of internal hemorrhaging

Sri Laxmivarateertha Swamiji was born in 1964 and became Sanyasi in 1971, Renovation of Mukhapantapa, the entrance of Sri Krishna and decoration of Sri Krishna idols was notable attraction to people, which was his notable work, during his first and second Paryaya.

All institutions connected to Sri Krishna Math have declared holiday for Thursday.Shops in Shiroor have been closed. Hundreds of people were seen in town expressing grief on the demise of Swamiji. The body of Shiroor swami was taken to Shiroor Math in sitting posture followed by a convoy of followers in many vehicles. Followers thanked the rain god, for it started raining after the funeral reached Shiroor Math.

None of the Swamijis from Sri Krishna Matha took part in the funeral.

As per latest reports, gastrointestinal bleeding was the cause of death and hence a post-mortem was conducted before the body was handed over..

“If necessary, the Chief Minister H.D.Kumaraswamy, said will order an enquiry into the death of Shiroor Math seer Lakshmivara Theertha Swami,” said chief minister H D Kumaraswamy on Thursday July 19.

Later on 19th July, Dr G Parameshwara, deputy chief minister and home minister, too said that he will order a probe into the death, because he said he was shocked to hear the news of his death and also followers are raising many question,” he said.

Vishwesha Theertha Swami, senior pontiff of Pejawar Math, who was in Hubballi, had not attended, the last rites of Shiroor Math seer. “I will not attend the final rites.. It is not mandatory that I should attend the last rites. I pray that his soul rests in peace.”

When the post morterm report was indicating poisoning, Vishwesha Theertha Swami, senior pontiff of Pejawar Math, had said in Hubli, that he strongly refutes reports that the Shiroor Math might have been killed by poisoning, he said, “Why would someone kill the Shiroor seer? His brothers also have claimed that he suffered food poisoning.”

It is said, on arrival at KMC Manipal Shiroor Swami was found to be critically ill with breathlessness, severe hypotension and massive gastrointestinal bleeding. He had history of diarrhoea prior to this episode. All routine investigations were done,”

“A team of doctors from Kasturba hospital provided medical care in the form of ventilator support, blood transfusion and dialysis. There is suspicion of poisoning and toxicological samples have been sent. His condition deteriorate rapidly in spite of best efforts from the medical team. He was declared dead at 8 am on July 19,” the release read.

The seer had cited threat to his life over issue of idols of presiding deities of his Math. Since the Seer was away for a few months, he had given the idols of the presiding deities of his Math to Ishtapriya Theertha Swami, junior seer of Adamaru Math for safe keep, at the sanctum sanctorum of the Sri Krishna Math. On his return, he sought the idols back and, the seers of the six of the Ashta Maths refused to hand over the same back to them. The six seers agreed to return the idols only after he appoints a junior seer, which condition, was not accepted by the seer. Seer had even threatened to file a criminal case. Against the seers.

Ravikiran Murdeshwar, advocate representing the Shiroor Math seer Lakshmivara Theertha Swamiji, hours after death of the seer while speaking to reporters said, “The seer had asked to file criminal case against all 6 seers barring Puttige Swamiji. I had prepared for the same after the seer had discussed about the same to me stating, threat to his life which he discussed for a few hours with me,”

Speaking to media persons, Dr Avinash Shetty, medical superintendent of KMC, said, “Seer might have consumed food laced with poison. We have informed the police about seer’s death. Post-mortem report will reveal the facts,” The Manipal police, were present during the entire post-mortem.

Sources on Anonymity said that Jaggi an Auto driver from Udipi known to Shiroor swamji for over 20 years had introduced an woman by name Ramya shetty from Puttur-Sullia 3 years ago. Since then Ramya shetty became very close to Shiroor swami and regularly paid visits to the Shiroor Math and spent time till late evening on most of the days.. It is also said, that Ramya shetty, had stayed in a flat and used to prepare and carry food for the Shiroor swamy almost every day. Ramya shetty is said to also prepare a drink made of Cashew and offer it to swamji. Recently Sripada Swamj a close and confidant aide of Swamji for many years is said to have disposed of quantities of cashew that was kept in the Shioor Mutt that was given to Shiroor swami by Ramya shetty. It is also said that Ramya shetty was brought to Shirror Math by Jaggu in his auto after people started objecting to her coming to the Math.

The sources on anonymity said, that a huge commercial building was developed on Joint venture on a land belonging to the Shiroor Math, at the entrance to Manipal near INOX theatre. Several Crores of rupees is said, due to swamiji from that venture. It was also said huge sum of money comes as rent from the commercial building, and most of the transactions was done by Ramya shety on behalf of the Shiroor Swami, who it is said was most trusted among those trusted..

Meanwhile Vishwa Vijaya Swami, junior pontiff of the Pejawar Math has demanded high-level enquiry into the death citing that the death was not natural.