Chitradurga, September 1

The Karnataka Police on Thursday arrested the chief pontiff of Sri Murugha Mutt, Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru for sexually assaulting two minor women.

“The chief pontiff of Sri Murugha Mutt, Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru, accused of sexually assaulting minors, arrested,” mentioned Alok Kumar, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Law and Order, Karnataka.

The due process can be adopted. Medical take a look at and investigation can be executed as per the process. He will even be produced earlier than choose, Kumar mentioned.

On Tuesday, the District Sessions Court in Chitradurga adjourned the anticipatory bail petition of the chief pontiff of the Murugha Mutt to September 1.

An FIR underneath the POCSO Act has been registered towards the pontiff of the influential Muruga Mutt in Chitradurga after minor women made allegations of sexual harassment towards him.

The FIR has been filed towards Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru of Murugha Mutt in Chitradurga. According to the FIR, the ladies had been abused for over two years.

Earlier this month, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi visited Murugha Math in Chitradurga together with celebration leaders DK Shivakumar and KC Venugopal. The Murugha Mutt can be recognized to be an influential establishment with an extended listing of politicians visiting recurrently. The pontiff additionally gave Gandhi the ‘Lingadeekshe’, which is an official ceremony inviting an individual into the Lingayat sect.

Speaking about it, Lahar Singh Siroya, BJP Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha mentioned, “This is an extremely shocking and sad development. Each time something like this happens it shakes our confidence in our own surroundings, and in our own people. As a society, we owe it to ourselves that these allegations are probed thoroughly and impartially. The Karnataka government and all political parties have to ensure that there are no pulls, pressures, politics and interference in this case. The girls deserve nothing but justice.”

“If there is even an iota of doubt that interests of justice will be served better if this case is transferred outside Karnataka, then that too should be considered. In this case, not only do perceptions matter but restoring confidence in the health of our society is important. All of us have a crucial role to play in that respect,” the MP added.

Karnataka minister V Somanna on Monday mentioned, “Let the police investigate the case and let the truth come out. It is not appropriate to speak on the case as an investigation is underway,” Somanna mentioned. ()