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FIR Against Samyamindra Thirtha: Kashi Math Refutes Claim


Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, May 13, 2019: Over the last two days, there have been news reports that an FIR has been lodged at Surathkal Police Station against Swami Samyamindra Thirtha of Kashi Math for fraudulent transfer of funds belonging to Raghavendra Thirtha, an estranged former Swami of the Math. Responding to these reports which have gone viral, Kaup Narayana Shenoy, identifying himself to be a General Power of Attorney holder for Swami Samyamindra Thirtha, has issued a statement asserting that the amounts in question are the legitimate funds of Swami Samyamindra Thirtha and Shree Kashi Math Samsthan, Varanasi. 


Samyamindra thirtha swamiji

 

The statement further says that the complaint filed by Raghavendra Thirtha is in violation of the court orders and also that Surathkal Police have not followed due process while registering the FIR. Sri Kashi Math Samsthan Varanasi will take proper legal remedy and reserve right to initiate both civil and criminal action against Raghavendra Thirtha, the statement said.

The following is the full text of the rejoinder issued by Kaup Narayana Shenoy:

FALSE CASE REGISTERED BY RAGHAVENDRA TIRTHA

- The true and actual facts -

An FIR has been registered as Crime No. 61/2019 at Surathkal Police Station against Srimad Samyameendra Thirtha Swamiji, Matadhipathi of Sri Kashi Math Samsthan, Varanasi on the complaint filed by one Raghavendra Thirtha, who is the disowned disciple of Srimad Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji claiming that some FDRs made by him has been illegally transferred in the name of present matadhipathi, Srimad Samyameendra Thirtha Swamiji.

The true and actual facts are:
In the year 1994 some powers and duties were entrusted to the complainant – Raghavendra Thirtha – by the then Matadhipathi Srimad Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji. Abusing such entrusted duties and powers he illegally deposited the funds of Sri Kashi Math Samsthan, Varanasi in his personal name contrary the accounting principles of the Math and with ulterior motives. That was objected by the Auditors of the Samsthan and their objections were brushed aside by him and continued to deposit huge amounts in his personal name. Finding these deposits in his personal name, the Income Tax Authorities had seized the deposits and sent notice to Raghavendra Thirtha. It was submitted to the Income Tax authorities that these deposits are the funds of Sri Kashi Math Samsthan, they reflected in the Balance Sheet of Sri Kashi Math Samsthan. These facts were also brought to the notice of Income Tax authorities by the said Raghavendra Thirtha in a bid to get the seizure withdrawn by the Tax authorities.

In the meantime he filed a suit as OS 34/2000 before the III Additional District Court, Tirupathi to declare him as the Matadhipathi of Sri Kashi Math Samsthan, Varanasi. Srimad Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji filed a counter claim for statutory injunction against him to not to interfere in the affairs of Sri Kashi Math Samsthan, Varanasi. His suit was dismissed with cost and the counter claim was allowed with cost by the Tiruapthi Court and on appeal to the Hon’ble High Court of Andhra Pradesh, the Hon’ble High Court dismissed his appeal with cost and it was the confirmed by the High Court of Andhra Pradesh that he should not interfere in the affairs of Sri Kashi Math Samsthan and this order attained finality.

During the period of the matter pending in Court the Tirumala Math was being managed by him through the managers appointed by him. The accounts pertaining to the period is not submitted and the amounts were dealt in cash without depositing in any bank and the entire amount is misappropriated by Raghavendra Thirtha and his associates. A complaint has been registered against Raghavendra Thirtha and his associates and the CBCID of Andhra Pradesh Police are investigating the matter. Raghavenda Thirtha was arrested and is on bail. 

In spite of this injunction against him, after the Mahasamadhi of His Holiness Srimad Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji, he fraudulently formed a trust called Shree Kashi Math Samsthan Varanasi (Benaras) Trust. Srimad Samyameendra Thirtha Swamiji has obtained stay against Raghavendra Thirtha, his fraudulent trust and trustees from interfering in the affairs of Sri Kashi Math Samsthan, Varanasi, not to use the photographs of earlier Matadhipathis etc., not to operate any accounts, among others.

Under such circumstances, he has no authority to file any complaint and the complaint filed by Raghavendra Thirtha is in violation of the court orders. The deposited amounts are the funds of Shree Kashi Math Samsthan, Varanasi.

Surathkal Police have not followed due process while registering the FIR. They have not given any notice for enquiry to the persons shown as accused in the FIR.

Sri Kashi Math Samsthan Varanasi will take proper legal remedy and reserve right to initiate both civil and criminal action against Raghavendra Thirtha.