Mangaluru: Police investigating the sensational murder case of Lakshmivara Teertha swami of Shiroor Mutt are probing whether the seer was administered poison to save the image of Sri Krishna Mutt, a source privy to the developments told TOI.According to the source, police have added this as the fourth angle to the case. They have brushed aside all other possibilities for the time being, and are focusing on investigating if an external force administered the poison to the controversial seer.“In the past couple of years, the image of Sri Krishna Mutt was dented severely due to the Shiroor seer. Hence, an orthodox believer may also have played a role in his death,” the official seeking anonymity said, adding, “We are prepared for the worst.”The official said two other possibilities were his illicit affair and his heavy investments in real estate. “Apart from these two strong reasons, we are also looking at whether his death has anything to do with the issue of naming his successor. This aspect certainly cannot be ruled out,” the source stressed.Postmortem reportMeanwhile, police received the postmortem report on Monday. However, experts have kept the “cause of death” section blank, and this will be filled up only after reports from the forensic science laboratory.Police not convinced with role of womanThe source further said that the SP, additional SP, a DSP, three CPIs and three PSIs -- the core investigation team -- were not convinced with the role of the woman, who has hogged the limelight in the sensational death of the seer.It is expected that the final report may take at least another month.

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