One more POCSO case filed by 2 girls against Chitradurga Murugha Mutt seer

MYSURU: In more trouble for Murugha Mutt seer Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru, one more case has been filed at the Nazarbad police station in Mysuru on Thursday night after two more minor girls accused him and six others of sexual harassment. Of the seven accused, five were named in the first case too.

The victims in the fresh case are said to be children of the mutt employees. With the help of Odanadi, a Mysuru-based organisation, they lodged a complaint with the Nazarabad police who filed an FIR and transferred the case to the Chitradurga police.

In her complaint, an assistant cook at the Murugha Mutt has alleged that four children at the residential school run by the mutt, all aged between 12 and 14, were sexually assaulted. Of the four victims, two are sisters. In her complaint, she said many more children have been sexually abused by the pontiff. The complaint also names the hostel warden Rashmi, as she was allegedly an accessory to the the unlawful activities.

Cook Karibasappa with Murugha seer

The assistant cook has named Murugha Mutt seer Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru, the woman warden of the hostel, the mutt successor Basavaditya, secretary Paramashivaiah, lawyer Gangadharaiah, the seer’s assistant Mahalinga and cook Karibasappa among the accused.

Paramashivaiah, secretary of Murugha seerMeanwhile, social activist Madhu said that he had raised the issue of another student with the Child Welfare Committee, the DC and SP, but the girl, after counselling, claimed that she was not harassed by anyone.

Accused Rashmi, hostel warden

The first POCSO case was registered against the Murugha Mutt seer in Mysuru and it was transferred to Chitradurga police on August 27. Five people were arrested in the case and the seer and the warden continue to remain in judicial custody.

The fifth accused Gangadharaiah had surrendered before the police and he was released subject to certain conditions. The mutt successor Basavaditya (17) and secretary Paramashivaiah had gone absconding after the incident.

Advocate Gangadharayya, accused

Soon after the fresh case filed against the Murugha Mutt  seer, former minister Ekantaiah and others met senior BJP leader B S Yediyurappa on Friday and discussed about asking Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru to step down. Given the prevailing situation, police had provided additional security at the mutt and its premises.

Meanwhile, a team of advocates from Chitradurga also visited the mutt. Advocates K N Vishwanathaiah and Umesh met S B Vastradamath, secretary of the SJM educational institutions and local leader H Anandappa and discussed about securing power of attorney from the arrested pontiff, selection of a successor, consent for the official signature of Murugha Mutt seer among other issues.

It was suggested that the power of attorney will rest with S B Vastradamath while the charge of the peetha will be given to Mahanth Rudreshwar Swamiji from Hebbal Mutt. These issues will be presented before the mutt governing council and a final decision and legal process will be taken up after meeting the seer.