Godman arrested for firing in the air in Kalaburagi village

KALABURAGI: A spiritual leader, Shree Shantalinga Shivacharya, head of Shri Shankarlingshwara Sansthan in Uduchana village, was arrested for firing a gun in the air to intimidate opponents at Afzalpur in district. The incident has sparked outrage among devotees, who are protesting against the swami’s behaviour.

Shantalinga Shivacharya has a history of controversy. Eight months ago, he fired a gun in the air and was involved in a drunk driving incident in Vijayapura district. He was previously expelled from the math, but returned for a festival on November 24. He fired a gun again, claiming to intimidate opponents.

The police have registered a case under the Arms Act, and he’s been remanded to judicial custody for three days. “A case was registered at the Afzalpur police station regarding a viral video on social media which showed a swamiji firing in the air from a licenced SBBL weapon. Upon checking, it was established that the seer was Shantilinga Shivacharya, head of Shri Shankarlingshwar Sansthan. Following this, a case under the Arms Act was registered. The swami has accepted to firing in the air. He is presently in judicial custody. Further investigation is under way” said Police Superintendent Addur Srinivasulu.

The swami been involved in controversies before, including accusations of misbehaving with devotees and using abusive language, with audio clips circulating online. The swami’s behavior has been criticized by devotees, who question his conduct as a spiritual leader. The situation has created tension in Uduchana village, with two groups — one supporting him and another opposing the swami — causing unrest in the community