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- By Abhirupa Kundu
- Wed, 08 Nov 2023 05:15 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Karnataka High Court on Wednesday granted conditional bail to the former chief pontiff of Sri Murugha Mutt, Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru, in connection with the allegation of sexual harassment of minor girls. However, the seer will not be released from jail even after the bail as two rape cases have been registered against him and their investigation is underway.
A bail application in another case is pending, in which he cannot be released from jail without an indemnity.
The prominent lingayat seer drugged minor girls residing in the Murugha Mutt before sexually abusing them and used to instruct other suspects in the case to send a young girl of their choice to his private room every day under the notion of seeking his special blessings.
The miscreant had also established a schedule to determine which girl would be brought to him on a daily basis. Sharanaru would offer them chocolate and apples laced with drugs after which he would harass them.
Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru, chief pontiff of Jagadguru Murugarajendra Vidyapeetha mutt being taken to DYSP office after his medical examination. (Photo credit: ANI)
The Karnataka police had said that along with the seer, they have also slapped charges against hostel warden Rashmi and another accused in the case identified as Paramashivaiah.
The 64-year-old abuser was arrested last year on September 1 following a case registered against him under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act on August 27, 2022, for allegedly sexually harassing two minor girls.
Based on the complaint filed by the two minor girls, the police filed another case under the POCSO Act against the seer on October 19. The police had also recorded the statements in connection to the second case against the seer.
