Karnataka Lingayat Mutt Chief Arrested on Sexual Assault Charges Against Minors

Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru, the main pontiff of the Jagadguru Murugarajendra Vidyapeetha mutt in Karnataka’s Chitradurga, was charged with sexually assaulting minor girls under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (Pocso). The seer was arrested in the rape case six days after the claims and seven days after the FIR. Police arrested him amid a significant police presence in and near the Lingayat mutt. Chitradurga’s Deputy Superintendent of Police will question the seer.

Protests in Chitradurga and parts of Bengaluru have risen in recent days, calling for stern action against the guilty in the rape case. Rashmi, a Mutt hostel warden who was one of the five people accused in the FIR, was arrested by Karnataka Police on Thursday. Under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, she was questioned before a magistrate based on the minor girls’ statements (CrPC).

As one of the survivors is a Dalit girl, the top pontiff has also been charged under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Act. Dalit organizations have been putting pressure on the seer, demanding harsh punishment.

The seer was arrested a day before a municipal court hearing on his anticipatory bail petition. The application was filed after the case against the Lingayat seer was filed.

Security has been increased in Chitradurga, and barricades have been erected to prevent unfortunate situations. More forces will be deployed from the neighboring Davangere district if necessary.

Two teenage girls who attend a mutt-run school escaped from the hostel in July, approached an NGO in Mysuru, and filed a police complaint on August 26. On August 30, the survivors recorded their testimony in front of a judicial magistrate court, which is considered critical evidence.