Karnataka News: Saint Shivamurthy Muruga of Lingayat Math arrested, accused of sexually abusing minors

Sivamurthy Muruga, a saint of the famous Lingayat Math of Chitradurga, Karnataka, has been arrested by the police. Sant Shivmurthy is accused of sexual exploitation of minors. A case was registered against them following a complaint by two minors. A case has also been registered against Saint Shivamurthy of Lingayat Math under POCSO Act. Shivamurthy has filed an application for interim bail, on which Chitradurga is to be heard in the local court tomorrow.

A local court in Karnataka's Chitradurga has adjourned till Friday the hearing of the anticipatory bail plea of ​​Mahant Shivamurthy Muruga Sharanaru, the head of the mutt, in the alleged sexual assault case of girls of a high school run by the Muruga Math. Meanwhile, a group of lawyers has demanded a probe into the matter under the supervision of the Karnataka High Court. A case has been filed against Mahant under the Protection of Child Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act. A local court on Thursday issued an order adjourning the hearing of the bail plea of ​​Mahant, the head of the influential Lingayat mutt, as political parties in the poll-bound state are bracing for allegations against Shivamurthy Muruga Sharanaru.

A group of lawyers has written to the Registrar General of the Karnataka High Court claiming that the investigation against Shivamurthy Muruga Swamy of Muruga Math in Chitradurga in the alleged sexual abuse case of minor girls is not being conducted in a "fair and independent manner". The advocates said, "Here the accused being an influential person is not being summoned by the investigating officer, let alone being arrested." The letter alleged that Thippareddy, the Chitradurga MLA, regularly Have been going to Mahant and giving 'support' to the accused. It said that Home Minister Arga Gyanendra is issuing a press statement saying that an employee of the Math is conspiring against Swamiji.

Math's administrative officer S.K. Basavarajan on Thursday said he was not involved in any conspiracy against Mahant Sivamurthy Muruga Sharanaru and had done his duty by trying to protect the children. Math officials had accused former MLA Basavarajan and his wife of conspiring against the Mahant. Basavarajan broke his silence for the first time saying that in the coming days everyone will know everything and if the children are right, they will get justice. Meanwhile, Basavarajan and his wife were granted bail by a court in a case of sexual assault and kidnapping. The complaint against him was filed by a woman and it is said that the complainant is an employee of the Math.