Karnataka Police issues Look-Out Circular against seer accused in POCSO case; anticipatory bail hearing deferred

Almost a week since an FIR was filed against the seer under provisions of the Protection of Children sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, he is yet to be arrested or even officially questioned by the police.

Several policemen, however, have been stationed at the matha, creating an almost house-arrest-like situation for Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru.

Meanwhile, Rashmi, the warden of matha’s girls’ hostel named the second accused in the POCSO case, was detained on Thursday, the Chitradurga Police said. This was the first official detainment in the case since the FIR was filed.

Rashmi filed a different complaint on Saturday against the matha’s administrative officer Basavaraj — a JD(S) leader and former MLA — and his wife Sowbhagya.

Rashmi had accused Basavaraj of sexually harassing her, and alleged that the couple kidnapped the two minor girls who were the complainants in the first case.

Basavaraj and Sowbhagya were arrested in connection with Rashmi’s complaint, but were granted bail by a court in Chitradurga on Thursday.

LOC against seer

Highly-placed sources in the police department told South First that Look Out Circulars have been issued against Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru at all immigration points.

“He was a flight risk, and we had issued lookout notices to all airports. Now, the police are deployed round the clock at the matha. He is not going anywhere,” a senior police official told South First.

The police had to intercept the seer and escort him back to the matha on Monday after he allegedly attempted to flee Chitradurga, fearing arrest. None of the accused — five from the matha, including a woman warden of the hostel where the minors resided — have been arrested.

The Murugharajendra Matha is a highly influential Lingayat monastery in Karnataka with powerful allies across parties.

Former chief minister and now BJP parliamentary board member BS Yediyurappa was the first to come out in defence of the seer, deeming the allegations “fake”. Opposition party leaders, too, have maintained a distance from the case, leaving the two minor survivors with little backing from the political class against a powerful seer.

Pressure mounts on government

Several citizens groups and Dalit rights activists have condemned the delay in arresting the seer, who continues to be inside the matha in Chitradurga.

Citizens groups have called for a mass agitation at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on Friday to demand the arrest of Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru over the sexual abuse allegations.

Police sources told South First that the survivors recorded their statements before a magistrate on Tuesday, and that the statements would be transferred to the police in a sealed cover.

“All processes are being followed. From filing Zero FIR in Mysuru to transferring the case to Chitradurga, from recording the statement of the minors to presenting them before a magistrate and spot mahajar — all processes under POCSO provisions have been carried out. We will also fight the anticipatory bail plea tooth and nail,” the senior police official said.

NCPCR takes cognizance, Atrocities Act invoked

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has taken suo motu cognizance of the case registered against the seer.

The apex body for children’s rights in the country has also demanded a thorough investigation and detailed report into the allegations made by minor girls against the pontiff.

The commission has urged that the identity of the victims be protected, and demanded a report within a week.

Meanwhile, the police have invoked sections of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against the Murugha Matha seer as one of the survivors is a Dalit.

“Depending on how the investigation progresses, generally more victims — if any — come forward in such cases. So far, no one else has come forward,” a senior police official supervising the investigation told South First.