Murugha Matha seer bail plea adjourned to Tuesday; Odanadi counsellors allowed to meet victims

Other victims being questioned

Meanwhile, a police team from Chitradurga has started to investigate if anyone else — other than the two initial complainants — was sexually assaulted and harassed by the seer.

South First had earlier published an exclusive report on this.

Chitradurga Superintendent of Police (SP) Parashurama K told South First, “We have sought details of all the children who stayed in the matha’s hostel in the last 10 years. The girls have been shifted to the Morarji Desai schools of their respective native districts. We have already begun investigating that issue.”

Meanwhile, a senior police officer on condition of anonymity told South First that the details of the victims had been collected and some of the officers even visited the respective villages to talk to them. However, some of these victims were allegedly hesitant to come forward.

The details given by Rashmi — the warden of the Matha, who is also accused number 2 in the case — and the two complainants were being corroborated by the police, and the names of other victims were being determined for further investigations.

“Fearing their reputation and the girls’ future, the parents of some of the other victims are refusing to divulge any details. But we are investigating this matter. We may have some more evidence soon,” said the senior police officer.

‘Arrest of absconding accused is important’

Chitradurga Murugha Mutt seer addresses people on Monday, 29 August. (South First)

The SP also said that the hunt was on to nab accused no 4, Paramshivaiah, the secretary of Muruga Matha who has been accused of supporting the seer and allegedly helping him sexually harass the girls.

Sources said that his arrest was very important to the police as he was the secretary of the matha, and that the police were sure he had almost all the information about what used to happen inside the Murugha Matha.

Special teams have been formed to nab him, said the SP.

“We have sent notices to them to appear before us but they have not come yet. However, our team is out there to nab them. We will be getting them soon,” he added.

The top cop also clarified that the police had asked accused no 5 — advocate and local leader Gangadharaiah — to appear before them recently, and he did.

The SP told South First that they did not deem it necessary to arrest him right away after interrogating him.

However, he has been told that he cannot leave the town, and that he has to appear for questioning whenever required.

Odanadi advocates, counsellors may speak to 2 victims

Meanwhile, the Chitradurga court on Monday granted permission to counsellors of the Mysuru-based NGO Odanadi Seva Samsthe — to meet the two minor girls whose allegations of sexual assault led to the arrest of the seer under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

“This is good news for us,” said Stanley, one of the Founders of Odanandi.

He told South First that they were upset and worried that despite legal provisions under the Juvenile Justice Act, the counsellors and advocates of Odanadi were not allowed to meet the victims, who are currently housed in a children’s home.

“However, we got permission from the court today, and our counsellors and advocates can now meet the girls,” Stanley said on Monday.

He explained that it becomes important in such cases to meet the victims and provide them confidence.

Stanley explained, “When the girls came to us first with trust, we assured them that we would be there with them throughout this case. We have been told that the girls are feeling lonely and anxious in the children’s home. They may feel depressed, too. It is important that our counsellors speak to them and provide them confidence and hope.”

Meanwhile, Odanadi also insisted that the Karnataka government and judiciary look into the seriousness of the case, and emphasised its demand for an investigation of the case by an “independent agency like the CBI”.

It may be noted that led by Odanadi, a rally with over 3,000 people was taken out to show solidarity with the two minor girls.

The rally, named “Makkalakaagi Naavu” (We are with Children), began on Saturday at the Kanaka Circle near Barageramma Temple on Hoalkere Road on the outskirts of Chitradurga, and wound its way past the District Commissioner’s (DC) office, ending at Bala Bhavan, some 4 km away.

The case

Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru. (South First)

Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru, the politically influential chief pontiff of the Jagadguru Murugarajendra Vidyapeetha Matha in Karnataka’s Chitradurga district, was last month accused of sexual abuse by two high school girls staying in the matha’s hostel.

He was booked under the POCSO Act, and is now in judicial custody till 14 September.

Meanwhile, hostel warden Rashmi has also been arrested and is in judicial custody in connection with the case.

The girls alleged that a junior seer of the matha, Secretary Paramasivayya, and advocate Gangadharayya were also aware of the happenings, and had supported the seer.