CHITRADURGA: The Chitradurga police have arrested former administrative officer of the Murugha Mutt, and former legislator S K Basavarajan in connection with the theft of 42 portraits from the main hall of the mutt on August 5. He is being questioned at Chitradurga Town police station.
The police are on high alert in the city and have deployed personnel at sensitive places, including the Obavva Circle.
On November 7, the Chitradurga Rural police had arrested Hosahalli Gram Panchayat member Mohan Murthy a.k.a Swamy and SJM Polytechnic lecturer Shivananda Swamy in the case. During their questioning, Basavarajan’s involvement has come to light.
The police have also arrested another accused, Srinivas, and are on the lookout for Basavarajan’s wife Soubhagya.
Meanwhile, the police have also arrested Basavarajendra after an audio clip of him allegedly instigating the victims of the seer’s sexual assault was revealed. The in-charge seer of the Murugha Mutt, Basavaprabhu, had lodged a complaint in this regard on Wednesday.