Yoga guru Niranjana Murthy arrested in Bengaluru for alleged sexual assualt on minor boy

BENGALURU: A yoga guru was arrested by the Rajarajeshwari Nagar police in Bengaluru’s West division for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor boy and several women, authorities said on Thursday. The accused was identified as Niranjan Murthy, who is the secretary of Karnataka Yogasana Sports Association (KYSA).

The case, registered under Sections 69 and 75(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, pertains to incidents spanning from January 1, 2023, to August 30, 2025, at the Sunshine Institute in RR Nagar, as stated in the release.

According to the FIR, the complainant, who has known Murthy since 2019, began participating in yoga competitions organised by him in 2021. In 2023, at the age of 17, the complainant accompanied Murthy to Thailand for a competition, where the accused allegedly sexually harassed them for the first time, leading the complainant to quit the events.

However, in 2024, the complainant rejoined the Sunshine Institute only to face repeated harassment since then. The complaint details that in August 2025, Murthy allegedly had physical contact with the complainant at the institute, promising a medal and placement in the National Yoga Competition. On August 22, another attempt at physical contact was made, with assurances of state-level placement. The complaint was lodged on August 30, 2025, at 22:00 hours. Police Sub-Inspector Srikanth Pammar is investigating the matter, as stated in the release.

The arrest follows the complainant’s allegations of exploitation under the guise of yoga training and competition opportunities. Authorities have not disclosed the complainant’s identity to protect their privacy, in line with legal protocols.

Earlier, the Halasur Police Station in Bengaluru successfully apprehended three suspects involved in two separate cases of vandalism that occurred on June 28, 2025. The accused, identified as Maksad Ahmad Bin Rehmat Ullakhan, Izar Pasha Bin Nurullah Pasha, and Hamid Tabrez Bin Qasim Ali, were arrested on July 28 after a thorough investigation.

The accused set fire to several two-wheelers and cycles parked on Kaliyamma Speed B No 4th Street, Halasur, damaging 10 two-wheelers and seven cycles. The accused also damaged a car and a vegetable shop stand by setting them on fire using petrol. The police investigation revealed that the accused, Mansood Ahmed, had a personal vendetta against local individuals, Pahad and Sarfuddin, who are currently in jail for a murder case. (ANI)