Karnataka's Murugha Mutt seer booked after minor girls allege sexual harassment

An FIR under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences POCSO Act has been registered against seer of the influential Muruga Mutt in Chitradurga after minor girls made allegations of sexual harassment against him The FIR has been filed against Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru of Murugha Mutt in ChitradurgaAccording to the FIR the girls were abused for over two yearsSpeaking about it Lahar Singh Siroya Member of Parliament Rajya Sabha said This is an extremely shocking and sad development Each time something like this happens it shakes our confidence in our own surroundings and in our own people As a society we owe it to ourselves that these allegations are probed thoroughly and impartially The Karnataka government and all political parties have to ensure that there are no pulls pressures politics and interference in this case The girls deserve nothing but justiceIf there is even an iota of doubt that interests of justice will be served better if this case is transferred outside Karnataka then that too should be considered In this case not only perceptions matter but restoring confidence in the health of our society is important All of us have a crucial role to play in that respect the MP addedAlso Read Hijab row SC refuses to adjourn matter says it wonrsquot allow lsquoforum shoppingrsquoMeanwhile Vishwanath the lawyer of the Mutt visited the Muruga MuttSpeaking on the pontiffs absconding accusation Vishwanath said I stayed with Swamiji yesterday till 1130 pm Ive no info about him moving to an unknown place He said that a false case has been filed against him He said that devotees were visiting Mutt He may have gone to seek legal adviceHe was told to get treatment due to his health condition and he was fine Notice under 164 can also be issued on receipt of the statement There is no legal framework for this case said Vishwanath lawyer of Chitradurga mutt on alleged sexual assault case against the chief pontiffEarlier this month Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited Murugha Mutt in Chitradurga along with party leaders DK Shivakumar and KC Venugopal The Murugha Mutt is also known to be an influential institution with a long list of politicians visiting regularly The pontiff also gave Gandhi the Lingadeekshe which is an official ceremony inviting a person into the Lingayat sectThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever