New Delhi: Lingayat mutt chief Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru, who heads the Jagadguru Murugharajendra Vidyapeetha in Chitradurga in central Karnataka, was arrested from the mutt on Thursday night. An FIR had been registered against him for the alleged sexual assault of two minor students a week back. He has been sent into 14 days of judicial custody.
Later, he was taken to district hospital from Chitradurga district jail after he complained of chest pain
Chitradurga SP Parashurama K confirmed the mutt chief’s arrest. “We have arrested the seer and procedures will follow. He is being questioned now,” he told The Indian Express.
Several Dalit organisations staged protests Thursday, demanding the pontiff’s arrest.
The pontiff was taken into custody from the mutt around 10 pm after he had met devotees. He was taken to the Deputy SP’s office, TIE reported quoting police sources. Police had already issued a lookout circular against him.
Earlier on Thursday, the pontiff had applied for anticipatory bail and a sessions court had adjourned the hearing to Friday.
#WATCH | Karnataka: Chief pontiff of Sri Murugha Mutt Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru being taken to ICU ward of dist hospital, Chitradurga.
He was brought here after he complained of chest pain. He has been sent to 14-day judicial custody in case of sexual assault of minor girls. pic.twitter.com/zhPVpi1nen
— ANI (@ANI) September 2, 2022
