Published May 14, 2026 | 4:38 PM ⚊ Updated May 14, 2026 | 4:40 PM
Vachanananda swami.
Synopsis: Vachanananda Swami, the former head of the Veerashaiva Lingayat Panchamsali Gurupeetha in Harihar, Karnataka, has been booked under the POCSO Act for allegedly sexually harassing a 16-year-old boy staying at the mutt’s free hostel. The complaint, filed by the boy’s mother, alleges that the seer made the minor massage him and touched his private parts, while threatening him with dire consequences if he spoke out.
Vachanananda Swami, the former head of the influential Veerashaiva Lingayat Panchamsali Gurupeetha in Harihar, Karnataka, has been booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for allegedly sexually harassing a minor.
A zero FIR was registered at the Lakshmeshwar Police Station in Gadag district and later transferred to the Harihar Rural Police Station based on a complaint by the survivor’s mother.
The 16-year-old boy, who studied classes VI, VII and VIII at a government school in Hanagavadi, Harihar taluk, stayed at the mutt-run free hostel between 2021 and 2024.
The complaint alleged that the survivor was made by the former seer to massage all over his body, including private parts, and that he sexually assaulted the children by touching their private parts during this period.
The seer also allegedly threatened the boy with dire consequences if he were to reveal the incident to anyone.
Police said that statements of the minor and his parents have been recorded and a detailed investigation is under way.
Last month, Vachanananda became the second seer to be expelled by the trust of the Guru Peetha after a dispute over his refusal to vacate a yoga centre in Bengaluru and a section of devotees accusing the trustees of misappropriation.
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