[HPI note: Due to the interest expressed by our readers on this contentious subject, HPI continues to cover relevant developments of the appointment of Nityananda as the next head of Madurai Aadheenam.]
MADURAI, INDIA, May 4, 2012 (The Hindu): The 292nd pontiff of Madurai Aadheenam, Sri Arunagirinatha Gnanasambanda Desikar, filed an affidavit in the Madras High Court Bench here on Thursday refuting allegations that he was under the illegal custody of Nityananda of Bidadi in Karnataka. The pontiff stated that the case had been filed with “imaginary information without verifying essential facts and actual truth.”
A petition, filed by M. Solaikannan of Hindu People’s Party, alleged that Nityananda had managed to get himself appointed as the 293rd pontiff of Madurai Aadheenam by taking Gnanasambanda Desikar under his illegal custody with the muscle power of “henchmen” brought from Karnataka. He wanted the Court to direct the State government to take control of the Aadheenam by appointing a committee headed by a retired High Court judge.
Gnanasambanda accused the habeas corpus petitioner of filing the case with the intention of gaining publicity. “I have been meeting the devotees every day at my Madurai Aadheenam. I also met all the general public and press people and gave a public statement on May 2 in Madurai in order to clear all unwarranted rumors… But the conduct of the petitioner is insulting, scandalous and motivated by malice. I am fully eligible, empowered and competent to manage, administer and appoint my successor for Madurai Aadheenam.”
The pontiff also stated that he had no plans to go abroad as claimed by the petitioner. “The imputations made by the petitioner have brought disgrace and humiliation to the entire Madurai Aadheenam and its devotees. I reserve my right to proceed against the petitioner as per the provisions of both the civil and criminal law,” he added.
A Division Bench comprising Justice M. Sathyanarayanan and Justice D. Hariparanthaman adjourned the hearing to Friday and ordered the High Court Registry to post the case along with a public interest litigation petition.