CHITRADURGA: An FIR under the POCSO Act has been registered against the pontiff of the influential Murugha Math in Chitradurga after minor girls made allegations of sexual harassment against him.
The FIR has been filed against Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru of Murugha Mutt in Chitradurga. According to the FIR, the girls were abused for over two years.
Speaking about it, Rajya Sabha member Lehar Singh Siroya said, “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 state 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 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.
Meanwhile, Vishwanath, the lawyer of the Mutt, visited the Muruga Mutt on Monday. Speaking about allegations that the pontiff was absconding, he said, “I stayed with Swamiji till 11.30 pm on Sunday. I’ve no information about him moving to an unknown place. He said that a false case has been filed against him. He said that devotees were visiting the mutt. He may have gone to seek legal advice.”
“Notice under Section 164 can also be issued on receipt of the statement. There is no legal framework for this case,” Vishwanath said, on the alleged sexual assault case against the mutt seer.
Earlier this month, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had visited Murugha Math in Chitradurga along with party leaders D K Shivakumar and K C Venugopal. The Murugha Mutt is also known to be an influential institution with a long list of politicians visiting regularly. The pontiff also gave Gandhi the ‘Linga Deekshe’, which is an official ceremony inviting a person into the Lingayat sect. (ANI)