Udupi: The death of the larger than life Sri Lakshmivara Teertha Swamiji, the 30th seer of Shiroor Mutt under mysterious circumstances after he breathed his last on Thursday morning has set off a huge controversy with sources close to the seer alleging that he was poisoned after his post-mortem report reportedly indicated there was poison in his system.
The seer who had been ailing since past few months was admitted to a private hospital after his health took a turn for the worse, allegedly due to 'food poisoning.' After some treatment at a private hospital, he was transferred to Kasturba Hospital in Manipal at 2 am on July 18. However his health condition deteriorated further and he died on Thursday morning at 8.30 am.
Some of his associates including his brother suspected foul play and said his death was an unnatural one, as he was in reasonably good health till Monday. In the eye of the storm as he was deeply critical of many practices at the matha, which he had repeatedly raised with the media over Shiroor. The sudden deterioration in his health is being questioned by many in Udupi.
