Date:04/04/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/04/04/stories/2006040404980500.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Bailable warrant against Kanchi Acharya

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: A sessions court here issued a bailable warrant to Kanchi Acharya Sri Jayendra Saraswathi, rejecting his plea to dispense with his personal appearance in the Radhakrishnan assault case.

When the matter came up before First Additional Sessions judge A. Selvakumar on Monday, the Acharya and Mutt manager Sundaresa Iyer filed petitions, under Section 317 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, seeking to dispense with their personal presence.

While Mr. Iyer cited health reasons, the Acharya said he was in the midst of poojas.

The judge allowed Mr. Iyer's plea, but turned down the request of the Acharya, saying he had cited similar grounds during the last hearing too. However, K.S. Dinakaran, counsel for the Acharya, said the despatch of the warrant should be delayed for a day. Suspending the despatch of the warrant for a day, Mr. Selvakumar posted the matter to April 14 for further proceedings.

The Acharya is expected to appear in the court on Tuesday.