The Tamil Nadu government on Monday informed the Madras high court that Kanchi Seer Jayendra Saraswati "broke down" during his interrogation and "confessed to his involvement" in the murder of Sankararaman, a temple official.
Complete coverage: Holy man in a controversy
Opposing the second bail plea filed by the seer in the court, senior Supreme Court lawyer, K T S Tulsi, appearing for the Tamil Nadu government, also told the court that the seer had extensive telephonic conversations with a woman Usha from Srirangam, near Tiruchirappalli, and they suspected she might have had a role to play in the murder.
"We want to interrogate her, but she has made herself scarce and is absconding," Tulsi said, adding that two key accused in the case who were also absconding, when apprehended, might throw more light on the crime.
The prosecution alleged the conversation with Usha lasted even up to 900 pulse rates in the cellphone exclusively used by the seer.
In a counter-affadivit opposing the bail plea, the prosecution claimed the woman was provided with free quarters and 'large amounts of money' was periodically transferred to her through a bank.
The woman had withdrawn the amount, the police said, adding that a probe was on to see if she had any role in the conspiracy and other allied matters since the seer regularly spoke to her before and after the September 3 murder.
Arguments on the bail plea will continue on Tuesday.