Sons bury father saying he attained ‘Samadhi’, police launch probe
Neyyattinkara police have sought the permission of Thiruvananthapuram district collector to exhume a body and conduct a post-mortem examination following suspicions around a recent burial, where a man was interred and had a tomb built, allegedly, as per his last wish. The man was buried on Thursday, January 9 and a tomb-like structure built on the spot.The deceased, Gopan Swami, was buried by his two sons who stated that their father had attained ‘Samadhi,’ used to refer to the death of holy men who have reached the state of ultimate spiritual realisation. A memorial was built over the burial site. However, questions arose regarding the circumstances of his death, prompting the police to seek further investigation.A report requesting permission for exhumation and post-mortem examination has been submitted to the District Collector. The Neyyattinkara police said that once the Collector grants approval, the body will be exhumed in the presence of the RDO, followed by an inquest and post-mortem examination.One of the sons, Rajasenan, claimed that the burial was carried out as per his father’s wishes. He stated that after his father ‘attained Samadhi,’ they covered the structure with a concrete slab. He said they had only made arrangements to cover the structure and all other preparations were made by his father in advance. Local residents became aware of the death only after a flex board announcing the ‘Samadhi’ was put up."Father came back home from the temple, took his tablets, had food, and told us he was going into ‘Samadhi’. He got dressed, sat here in Padmasana, and entered the state of ‘Samadhi’. He had already arranged for the memorial stone in advance. During the Samadhi rituals (poojas), only my brother and I were present—no one else was allowed to witness them. After the Samadhi, I brought my mother and wife; they paid their respects and left. We covered the structure after that," Rajasenan told the media.The Neyyattinkara police confirmed that Rajasenan had provided a similar statement to them. They said further action would depend on the District Collector’s report.
NEYYANTINKARA police have sought the permission of Thiruvananthapuram district collector to exhume a body and conduct a post-mortem examination following suspicions around a recent burial, where a man was interred and had a tomb built, allegedly, as per his last wish.
The man was buried on Thursday, January 9 and a tomb-like structure was built on the spot.
The deceased, Gopan Swami, was buried by his two sons who stated that their father had attained ‘Samadhi,’ used to refer to the death of holy men who have reached the state of ultimate spiritual realisation.
A memorial was built over the burial site. However, questions arose regarding the circumstances of his death, prompting the police to seek further investigation.
A report requesting permission for exhumation and post-mortem examination has been submitted to the District Collector. The Neyyattinkara police said that once the Collector grants approval, the body will be exhumed in the presence of the RDO, followed by an inquest and post-mortem examination.
One of the sons, Rajasenan, claimed that the burial was carried out as per his father’s wishes. He stated that after his father ‘attained Samadhi,’ they covered the structure with a concrete slab. He said they had only made arrangements to cover the structure and all other preparations were made by his father in advance. Residents became aware of the death only after a flex board announcing the ‘Samadhi’ was put up.
"Father came back home from the temple, took his tablets, had food and told us he was going into ‘Samadhi’. He got dressed, sat here in Padmasana, and entered the state of ‘Samadhi’. He had already arranged for the memorial stone in advance. During the Samadhi rituals (poojas), only my brother and I were present—no one else was allowed to witness them. After the Samadhi, I brought my mother and wife; they paid their respects and left. We covered the structure after that," Rajasenan told the media.
The Neyyattinkara police confirmed that Rajasenan had provided a similar statement to them. They said further action would depend on the district collector’s report.
