Bengaluru, August 29: In a shocking development, Karnataka police have booked a chief of Muruga Mutt Seer Dr. Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru who gave deekash to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012 (POCSO)act.
Police have booked him along with the four others. As per the police FIR, the accused allegedly sexually abused two high school girls for 4 years between January 2019 and June 2022.
During the investigation, the victims revealed that they would be asked to consume fruits or chocolates laced with medication before they were assaulted.
It should be noted that Mysuru police filed FIR based on the complaint by city-based NGO, Odanadi Seva Samsthe, involved in the rescue and rehabilitation of POCSO survivors. The NGO had approached the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) after two girl students who were lodged at one of the hostels run by the mutt complained of being sexually exploited.
Talking about the case, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said that the “truth will come out in the probe”. He said that it was an important case and the allegations were serious.
“The police have complete freedom, they will investigate and the truth will come out. Making comments or interpreting the case is not good for investigation,” Bommai said.
It should be noted that earlier this month, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had visited Murugha Mutt, considered one of the important religious centres for the Lingayat community, in Chitradurga.
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