Godman linked to Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination dies of stroke

Controversial godman Chandraswami — close friend of one Indian PM and allegedly involved in the assassination of another — died here on Tuesday.

Chandraswami, who had suffered a stroke, died at the Apollo Hospital at the age of 66.

“Spiritual leader Jagadacharya Chandraswami ji, 66 years old, had been ailing for some time. He recently suffered a stroke,” a hospital statement said. It said a multi-organ failure led to his death at 2.56 pm.

Chandraswami’s alleged role in the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi came up before the Milap Chand Jain commission, which had been set up to probe the conspiracy behind the killing. The panel devoted an entire volume to the godman.

Named Nemi Chand, Chandraswami was a Jain who worshipped the Hindu goddess Ma Kali. He started dabbling in horoscopes when he was young, and shot to fame as an astrologer.

Chandraswami wielded enormous power during the regime of then PM PV Narasimha Rao and was seen as one of Rao’s trusted aides and advisers.

Often mired in controversy, his name cropped up in investigations into Rajiv Gandhi’s death in a bomb blast executed by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

According to reports, the Jain Commission was told that Chandraswami, through his wide international links and involvement in major arms and financial deals, arranged the funds for the LTTE.