Sankararaman Murder Case

The Sankararaman Murder Case: A Tale of Religious Politics and Controversy in Tamil Nadu

On the evening of September 3, 2004, Sankararaman, the manager of the Varadaraja Perumal temple in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, was brutally murdered inside the temple premises. The incident shocked the state, and soon became a national news story. The case was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and what followed was a long and controversial investigation that rocked the religious and political establishment in Tamil Nadu.

Background and Context

The Varadaraja Perumal temple is one of the oldest and most revered temples in Tamil Nadu, and is believed to have been constructed during the Pallava dynasty in the 8th century. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and attracts thousands of devotees every year. Sankararaman was the temple's manager, and was responsible for the day-to-day affairs of the temple.

In the 1990s, the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, a prominent Hindu religious institution, came under the leadership of Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal, who was considered to be one of the most influential spiritual leaders in the state. The Peetham had a significant presence in Tamil Nadu, and owned a number of properties, including the Kanchi Matham, which was located adjacent to the Varadaraja Perumal temple.

Sankararaman had reportedly been critical of the Kanchi Matham and its leadership, and had even filed a complaint against Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal and his junior, Vijayendra Saraswathi, accusing them of misappropriating temple funds. The complaint had led to a police investigation, but no charges were filed against the accused.

The Murder and the Investigation

On the evening of September 3, 2004, Sankararaman was in his office at the temple when he was attacked by two unidentified men who stabbed him to death. The incident took place in front of several witnesses, who immediately informed the police.

The case was initially investigated by the Tamil Nadu police, but due to the high-profile nature of the case and the involvement of influential people, the CBI took over the investigation. The CBI's investigation soon revealed a web of conspiracy, with several people linked to the Kanchi Matham and the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham coming under scrutiny.

The CBI's investigation led to the arrest of several people, including Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal and Vijayendra Saraswathi. The accused were charged with conspiracy to murder, and the case went to trial in 2005.

The Trial and the Verdict

The trial in the Sankararaman murder case was one of the most high-profile trials in Tamil Nadu's history. The accused were represented by some of the most prominent lawyers in the country, and the trial went on for several years.

The prosecution argued that the accused had conspired to eliminate Sankararaman due to his complaints against the Kanchi Matham and its leadership. The defence, on the other hand, argued that the accused had been falsely implicated in the case, and that the evidence against them was circumstantial.

After a lengthy trial, the court found Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal and Vijayendra Saraswathi guilty of conspiracy to murder, and sentenced them to life imprisonment. The verdict was a major setback for the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham and the Kanchi Matham, and sparked off a wave of protests and controversy in Tamil Nadu.

The Sankararaman murder case was one of the most controversial and high-profile cases in Tamil Nadu's history. The case brought to light the nexus between religion, politics and power, and exposed the ugly underbelly of corruption and abuse of power in the state. The CBI's investigation and the subsequent trial and verdict served as a reminder that nobody is above the law, no matter how powerful or influential they may be. The verdict in the case sent shockwaves across the state and the country, and sparked off a wave of protests and controversy. The case will always be remembered as a cautionary tale about the dangers of mixing religion and politics, and a reminder of the need for justice, accountability and transparency in our society.