Murugha Math seer arrested yet again in second POCSO case

CHITRADURGA: The Chitradurga police on Monday arrested Muruga Math seer Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaur from the Virakta Math in Doddapete, Davanagere, in the second POCSO case on the direction of the 2nd Additional District & Sessions Court in Chitradurga.

The seer was released just four days ago on conditional bail last Thursday after 14 months in jail. The seer had been staying at the Virakta Math in Doddapete ever since his release as he has been barred from entering Chitradurga district.

The arrest warrant was issued by the Chitradurga district court in the second POCSO case against the seer. Public prosecutor Jagadish appealed to the court seeking an arrest warrant in the second POCSO case. The High Court granted bail in the first POCSO case on November 8 following which he was released from jail.

The 2nd Additional District & Sessions Court in Chitradurga passed the order of arrest today after hearing the arguments of both sides. The court directed the Chitradurga Rural police station to execute the arrest warrant with reference to a case in Kerala.

Umesh, the lawyer for the Murugha Math seer, said he cannot enter Chitradurga district as per the conditional bail ordered by the High Court in the first POCSO case. “The Murugha Math seer does not need to be arrested again.The arrest warrant would be a violation of the High Court order”, he said.

Earlier, JD(S) former MLA  Shivashankar had said the seer is an accused, not a criminal. This was an unexpected order. Talking to reporters at the Math even as the arrest warrant was issued against the Murugha Math seer,  he said they will respect the law. “There is a conspiracy behind this. Our lawyers will take the next steps. The seer is ready to face difficulties. There is neither happiness nor sadness in the court order. This is an unexpected order”.