Three more prosecution witnesses in the Sankararaman murder case in which Kanchi seer Jayendra Saraswathi and his junior Vijayendra Saraswathi are prime accused turned hostile during trial today.

As the trial resumed in the court of principal district and sessions judge, D Krishnaraja, nine witnesses were examined by public prosecutor N Devadass regarding the murder of temple manager Sankararaman at the Varadarajaperumal temple premises on September 3, 2004.

Only 13 of the 24 accused were present in court. The two seers were among the absentees.

They have been charged under sections 120-B (Conspiracy)
and 302 (murder) of Indian Penal Code.

Devadoss told reporters that three witnesses were treated as hostile as they contradicted statements given earlier to Kanchipuram police.

The Judge later adjourned the trial to March 25 for examination of further witnesses.

Of the 59 witnesses examined so far, 29 have turned hostile.