Lakshmivara Teertha, 55, was the head of the Shiroor Mutt in Karnataka's Udupi.
A prominent seer in Karnataka died this morning and doctors suspect he was poisoned. Lakshmivara Theertha, 55, was the head of the Shiroor Mutt in Udupi, one of the eight seminaries in Udupi, that are popularly known as the Ashtha Mathas. The police have registered a case and investigations are underway.
The seer is said to have had differences with other seminaries. He was planning to enter politics from Udupi.
Lakshmivara Teertha was moved from a private hospital in Udupi to Kasturba Hospital in Manipal in a critical condition around 1 am on Wednesday. "On arrival, he was found to be critically ill with breathlessness, severe hypotension and massive gastrointestinal bleed (sic)," the hospital said in a statement.
"He had internal bleeding and low BP (blood pressure). He passed away this morning at 8:30 am. There are doubts of poisoning. We have informed the police," Dr Avinash S, Medical Superintendent of Kasturba Hospital, said.
The pontiff was trying to bring back the idol of Lord Krishna from the Udupi Krishna Mutt that heads the group of eight seminaries. He had reportedly threatened to file a case to get the idol back. The pontiff had apparently told his lawyer about a threat to his life.
"When the seer was not well, he had kept Lord Vittal's idol in the main mutt. He also discussed with me the filing of a criminal case and we had prepared a petition on it... He had expressed that there would be a threat to his life," said Ravi Kiran, the lawyer.
Mr Kiran has demanded a thorough scientific investigation to remove all doubts.
Reacting to the suspicions surrounding the death, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwara said, "It is unfortunate that swamiji has expired. Under what circumstances he has died, we do not know. So there was suspicion and people talking about it..."
Karnataka BJP chief BS Yeddyurappa has expressed his condolences.