This Article is From Sep 03, 2022

Karnataka Seer, Arrested For Sexual Abuse, Undergoes Medical Tests: Report

Karnataka: Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru's blood and hair samples were taken for investigation purposes, the report said.

Karnataka Seer, Arrested For Sexual Abuse, Undergoes Medical Tests: Report

The Karnataka seer has been remanded to police custody till September 5. (File)

Chitradurga:

Chief pontiff of Murugha Math Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru, who is accused of sexually harassing minor high-school girls, underwent various medical tests at the Chitradurga district hospital on Saturday, sources said.

The police brought him to the district hospital under tight security from a Deputy Superintendent of Police's office where he is being questioned.

Sources said his blood and hair samples were also taken for investigation purposes.

After the tests, he would again be taken to the Deputy SP's office for further questioning, sources said.

The 64-year-old seer has been remanded to police custody till September 5 by a local court.

Sharanaru has been booked under provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act for allegedly sexually abusing two girls, studying in a school run by the Math and staying in a hostel also belonging to it.

The pontiff of one of the most prominent and influential Lingayat Maths in the state was questioned by police for several hours on Thursday night.

Meanwhile, protests have taken place in various parts of the state by some women groups demanding stringent punishment against the pontiff.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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