Pocso case: Karnataka seer Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru arrested; taken to undisclosed location for investigation

CHITRADURGA: The Karnataka police have arrested Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru, the chief pontiff of Murugha Mutt, in connection with the sexual abuse case registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act in Chitradurga in Karnataka on Thursday night.

The police arrested the pontiff from his mutt around 10.30pm.
Police from Chitradurga rural police station and Molkalmuru police station went to the Mutt where they took the pontiff into their custody.
After arresting him, police took the pontiff to an undisclosed location for investigation.
Chitraduga superintendent of police K Parashurama has also confirmed the arrest of the pontiff Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaur in connection with the Pocso case registered against him and he also said that the pontiff is being questioned.
However, the SP refused to give more details regarding the arrest of the pontiff.
Sources said that the police will also take the pontiff to the district hospital for the routine medical check-up.
Police have also stepped up security in and around the mutt to prevent any untoward incidents after arresting the pontiff.
Earlier, the Chitradurga additional session court deferred the hearing of anticipatory bail moved by the pontiff to Friday.
Some Dalit organisations and some other organisations held protests to exert pressure on the district administration and the police to arrest the pontiff.
As a result, the police arrested the pontiff and took him to an undisclosed location for investigation, said a source.
It may be recalled here that Mysuru City police on Friday night filed an FIR against the pontiff under the Pocso Act and certain sections of the IPC for allegedly abusing two high school girls.
Later, the case was transferred to Chitradurga Rural police station.