The seer was arrested after a few girls from the Matha-run institution, with the help of Mysuru-based NGO Odanadi, complained about sexual harassment.
Published Oct 07, 2024 | 4:17 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 07, 2024 | 4:45 PM
Murugha Matha chief pontiff Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru. (Supplied)
The 2nd Additional District and Sessions Court of Chitradurga in Karnataka on Monday, 7 October, released Murugha Matha seer Dr Shivamurthy Muruga Sharanaru who is accused in a case under the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act on bail after the interrogation of witnesses were completed.
The court ordered his release from the Chitradurga district prison, where he was lodged. The seer was arrested after a few girls from the Matha-run institution, with the help of Mysuru-based NGO Odanadi, complained about sexual harassment.
Meanwhile, Murugha Matha’s interim chief seer Basavaprabhu Swami told South First: “We are happy that he has been finally released from prison. The high court had granted him bail in November 2023 but it was challenged before the Supreme Court.”
“The apex court directed to release Shivamurthy Muruga Sharanaru only after the interrogation of 13 witnesses connected to the case. As the interrogation has been completed, he has been released from the jail,” added Basavaprabhu Swami.
“As per the court orders, he has been restricted from entering Chitradurga district. Hence, he will reside at Murugha Mutt in Davangere. He is doing well in terms of health,” Basavaprabhu Swami added that they would continue to fight it legally.
He was arrested on 1 September, 2022, and has been lodged in the Chitradurga district prison.
Besides Shivamurthy, the warden of the Matha-run hostel, Rashmi, junior pontiff Basavadithya, Matha secretary Paramashivaiah, and an advocate, Gangadharaiah, were also arrested.
Three different FIRs — all naming the pontiff as the first accused — were filed.
The initial FIR filed on 26 August, 2022, named Sharanaru, Rashmi, and Paramashivaiah as the first three accused.
The second FIR was registered on 13 October, 2022, based on a complaint by a single mother, who was employed as a cook at the Matha.
She alleged that Sharanaru had sexually abused four girls, including her two daughters. The girls were residing in the Matha-run hostel. It was registered under the POCSO Act and Sections of the Juvenile Justice Act and IPC, including rape.
The police filed a third case under the Juvenile Justice Act against the pontiff and the Matha administration members on 18 October, 2022. It was based on charges levelled by a Child Welfare Committee (CWC) member. The complainant alleged that the Matha did not reveal about two minor girls — aged 16 and four — living on its premises.
After the three cases were registered, Basavaprabhu Swami, who was anointed as the temporary head of the Matha, lodged a counter-complaint in November 2022.
The police had filed two preliminary charge sheets, each having 347 pages, in the first two cases against Shivamurthy Sharnaru and others on 27 October, 2022.
The charge sheets mentioned instances of sexual abuse of minors at the Akkamahadevi Vasathi Nilaya, the Matha-run hostel for girls, and Sharanaru’s rampant use of alcohol and drugs.
The police also accused the Matha of operating an illegal adoption racket.
Soon after the charge sheets were filed, Basavaprabhu appointed a retired judge, SB Vastramath, as the administrator, fearing a government takeover of the Matha-run institution and its assets.
However, the state government appointed a retired IAS officer, PS Vastrad, as the Matha’s administrator on 13 December, 2022, despite opposition from Basavaprabhu and his associates. Later, the in-charge pontiff challenged the appointment of Vastrad in the Karnataka High Court.
On 3 July, 2023, the high court appointed the district judge as Murugha Mutt administrator which was also challenged by the pontiff.
On 27 February this year, the Supreme Court directed the Karnataka government to constitute a committee within the next three days, if not already done, to administer the Matha.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with inputs from Mahesh M Goudar.)
