A Lingayat seer in Karnataka was found dead at his mutt in Belagavi district early this morning, officials have said.
Basava Siddalinga Swami, seer of Sri Guru Madiwaleshwar Math, was found hanging at his quarters by his followers and attendants, they added.
Police have recovered his purported suicide note and investigation is on to ascertain the cause of his death. The content of the note is not known yet.
Sources say the seer was reportedly upset over a video in which two women were seen discussing the alleged cases of sexual assault in some mutts in Karnataka.
The women had also mentioned his name in the video.
Earlier this month, Shivamurthy Sharanaru, who heads the Murugha Math - one of the key Lingayat seminaries in the state, was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting two minor girls. Both girls have accused him of sexually abusing them for years.
He was arrested following protests by the civil society members and various organisations at Karnataka's Chitradurga and Mysuru districts.
Top Karnataka Seer, Out On Bail, Arrested Again In Sexual Assault Case "I Begged, We Are Poor Children": Girls On Karnataka Seer Accused Of Rape Minor Girls Were Drugged And Abused By Jailed Top Karnataka Seer: Cops Emergency Landing, Fliers Stuck For 3 Days In Phuket; Air India Responds Explained: Why Delhi's AQI Was 494 Today But International Monitor Said 1,600 Ashneer Grover's LinkedIn Post After Salman Khan Schools Him On Bigg Boss Ukraine Hits Russia With Long Range Missile After Biden's Approval: Report 3 Cops Suspended After Man Uses Police Jeep To Make Reel In Rajasthan Video: Minor Performs Dangerous Stunt On Road, Bengaluru Police Reacts Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.