Karnataka Police Arrests Lingayat Seer Sivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru In Sexual Harassment Case
The head of the Lingayat Math in Karnataka, Sivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru, has been accused of sexually abusing minor girls. On Monday, August 29, he was arrested on suspicion of harassment. Saint Shivamurthy is the chief priest of Chitradurga, Karnataka's renowned Murugha Math. He was apprehended by police in the Haveri district.
Murugha is accused of sexually abusing female students at a Math-run institution. After two minors filed a complaint, the Mysore city police filed a case against Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru under sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act.
The two girls, who were attending a Math-run school, approached Odanadi Seva Sansthan, a Mysore-based NGO dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and empowerment of trafficked and sexually abused women and children. The girl students met with the NGO and told them about their ordeal, after which the District Child Welfare Committee was notified.
In the police action, besides the head of the monastery, an FIR has also been registered against four others including the warden of the institution. According to the complaint, girls aged 15 and 16, residing in the hostel of Murugha Math, were sexually abused several times over the last three-and-a-half years.
In this case, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said on Sunday, 28 August that the police is thoroughly investigating the incident and the truth will come out after the investigation is completed.
Stanley, head of the Odanadi Seva Sansthan NGO, claimed, “Sexual abuse is not just about these two girls. The math head has been harassing many other girl students studying in the institute as well. This game has been going on for many years. But due to fear, no one could muster the courage to disclose such a case.”
“We will not yield to any pressure or threat. It is the responsibility of the entire society to protect children's rights. We have made a commitment,” Stanley said.