Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Jan 19: Three illegal shops that were running in the parking lot of Sri Krishna Math here were demolished on the orders of Sri Laxmivarateertha Swamiji of Shiroor Math on Friday January 19.

Shiroor Swamiji himself came to the spot with a demolition team and got the shops razed to the ground.

It is said that Shiroor Swamiji had bought the land for Sri Krishna Math during his Paryaya term some years ago. He had intended to build a tourist lodge and a bus stand there, but it ultimately was used as a parking lot for the Krishna Math.

It is alleged that a close associate of Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji of Pejawar Math, used the parking lot to illegally set up three shops including a general store in the parking lot. The three shops were being managed by a person named Uday.

Shiroor Swamiji alleged that the person who set up the shops was also issuing fake parking receipts to unsuspecting visitors and also selling fake products.

Though it is alleged that the Swamiji did not formally give notice before undertaking the demolition drive, he said that he has been warning the person concerned for a month, but he did not heed.

It is also said that the issue was not taken up during the just-concluded Paryaya term of Pejawar Swamiji as the latter did not wish such demolitions to happen during his tenure. Hence, a day after Palimar Swamiji ascended the Paryaya Peetha, Shiroor Swamiji wasted no time in taking action.

"There should not be any illegalities in connection to the Sri Krishna Math. Nobody is speaking up against the illegal shops, so I am taking up the initiative," Shiroor Swamiji told reporters, adding that if the person concerned wanted the land to run his business, he could have taken it on lease or rent.

As the land belongs to the Sri Krishna Math, the city municipal council (CMC) has no records of the shops or the income they generated.