Hindu seer confesses to murder

A top Hindu cleric has confessed to murdering a worker at his temple in India's southern Tamil Nadu state.

The murdered worker was reportedly writing anonymous letters charging the seer with various misdemeanours.

"In a moment of weakness I ordered his murder," the counsel quoted the cleric as saying.

The charges levelled against the cleric, Mr Saraswati included embezzlement of gold procured for making a temple chariot and providing lavish lifestyles for the seer's relatives.