Sexual abuse case: Police given free hand to probe charges against seer Shivamurthy Swami, says Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai

MANGALURU: Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai said police were given free hand to investigate charges against Murugha Mutt chief pontiff Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru, who has been arrested for alleged sexual abuse of high school girls and sent to judicial custody.
The 64-year-old seer, booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act, 2012, and Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), was arrested at 10. 20pm on Thursday from his mutt by Chitradurga police.
"The probe is conducted as per the law. It is not right to comment on the issue at this juncture," Bommai said on his arrival at the airport.
The CM said, enormous strength will be infused into the development of Coastal Karnataka, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi launching and laying the foundation for various projects worth Rs 3,800 crore in the City on Friday.
The Prime Minister is visiting the region after a long time. These are projects that will complement the development of the region, increase economic activity and enhance the capacity of the harbour and businesses and in turn increase employment.
The Prime Minister has approved 100 deep sea fishing boats for the state under the PM Matsya Sampada Yojana.
The Kisan Credit Card has been extended to the fishermen so that they can get bank facilities easily. The state government has also taken up several development works, he said.
Further, the chief minister said that Janotsava would be held on September 8 at Doddaballapur and BJP National president JP Nadda will participate.