Madurai pontiff alleges murder bid, police contradict claims with CCTV proof
The head priest of Madurai Aadheenam, a Shaivite matha in Tamil Nadu, alleged an attempt on his life during a road journey, but police have dismissed the claim as baseless, citing CCTV footage that suggests it was an ordinary traffic accident.Sri La Sri Harihara Sri Gnanasambanda Desika Swamigal, the 293rd pontiff of the Madurai Aadheenam, said the incident occurred while he was travelling to Chennai for a religious gathering.advertisement'After finishing pooja, we left by 6 am. There were barricades placed between Ulundurpettai and Chidambaram. We were shattered when a car broke through that and hit our car. I saw a thopi (skullcap) and thaadi (beard),' the pontiff said, referring to the typical attire of a Muslim man. He also said that although he noted the vehicle's number plate, he would not file a police complaint, stating, 'the minorities are being provided with privilege'.
However, the Kallakurichi district police have firmly denied any such targeted attack. In a statement, the police said an investigation was carried out at the site, involving an analysis of CCTV footage and inquiries with local residents. The findings reportedly show that the Fortuner, which was speeding on the Salem–Ulundurpettai highway, entered a sub-road instead of using a bridge lane and collided with a Maruti Suzuki that was slowly passing through roadside barricades around 9.45 am.advertisementThe pontiff, on the other hand, said he was travelling in a Toyota Fortuner when the incident occurred near Kallakurichi in northern Tamil Nadu. He suggested that the collision was deliberate and linked it to communal motives.According to the police, though, it was a traffic accident. 'The accident caused damage to the left rear end of the Fortuner and to the right front end of the Maruti-Suzuki car. Both parties got down from the vehicles, argued and left the spot. No complaints were filed,' the police said.CCTV footage released by the police appears to confirm their version, showing the Fortuner approaching at high speed and crashing into the slower-moving vehicle.The police have also issued a warning against attempts to circulate false or inflammatory narratives. 'Strict action will be taken against anyone attempting to spread malicious content using this vehicle accident,' the statement said.
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