Date:23/11/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/11/23/stories/2004112308461100.htm

National

VHP leaders meet President

By Our Legal Correspondent

The international president of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Ashok Singhal (centre), addressing the media after submitting a memorandum against the arrest of the Kanchi Seer to the President at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday. — Photo: Shanker Chakravarty

NEW DELHI, NOV. 22. A delegation of leaders of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, sadhus and others today met the President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, and submitted a memorandum seeking his intervention in issue regarding arrest of the Kanchi Sankaracharya, Sri Jayendra Saraswati, and demanding a CBI probe to ensure, justice, fair play and impartiality in the investigation.

The delegation included Ashok Singhal, international working president, Vishwa Hindu Parishad; Vishnu Hari Dalmia, international president, VHP; M.N. Krishnamani, senior Supreme Court advocate, Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avadheshanand Giri, Haridwar, Mahant Surendra Nath Avadhoot, Kalka Peeth, Delhi and Ramvilas Das Vedanti, Ayodhya.

Swami Avadeshanand Giri urged the President to intervene and see that the Acharya was treated with respect and dignity.

Their main demand was for the transfer of the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation since the arrest and implication of the Seer were "motivated" and were "acts of victimisation by the, Jayalalithaa, for personal reasons."

The President, according to Mr. Krishnamani, assured them he would do his best by speaking to the authorities concerned.

Mr. Krishnamani said the President also expressed concern and enquired about the health of the Acharya.