Popular folk singer and YouTuber, 6 others booked under POCSO Act for sexual assault on minor

BAGALKOT: Folk singer and YouTuber Music Mailari, known for his hit song ‘Bagalkote Bus Stand Nyaga Nintala Kidibidiki’, has been booked under the POCSO Act along with six others for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor girl at Mahalingapur in Bagalkot district.

DJ Manju, Benki Latha and Shankar Athani, three of the other accused.

The incident occurred on October 24, 2025, and a case has been registered against Mailari and six others. The alleged assault took place at a lodge on the outskirts of Mahalingapur where the victim had gone to perform in an orchestra. Mylari and others are accused of sexually assaulting the girl and recording the act on phone.

Superintendent of Police (SP), Siddharth Goyal said that a complaint was registered at the Chikkodi police station on December 14 and the next day, it was transferred to the Mahalingapur police station. “An FIR under the POCSO Act has been registered against Music Mailari, Shankar Athani, singers Danavi and Rukmini, Benki Latha, and DJ Mahantesh”, he said,

The SP added that investigation is under way and action will be taken after verifying the facts of the case. “The police are taking the matter seriously and launched an investigation”, he added.