POCSO case accused Murugha Math seer Shivamurthy Muruga Sharanaru released on bail
Chitradurga (Karnataka), Oct 7: A court here on Monday granted bail to Murugha Math seer Shivamurthy Sharanaru, following the completion of interrogation of witnesses in the sexual harassment case, lodged against him under the POCSO Act.
He was imprisoned in the Chitradurga district prison after his arrest in September 2022.
The seer's arrest followed complaints of sexual misconduct from girls at a Math-run institution, with the help of the Mysuru-based NGO 'Odanadi'.
Following the 2nd Additional District and Sessions Court of Chitradurga granting bail, Sharana walked out of the jail, and expressed hope that "truth will win".
"...I will only say that because of the grace of God, I'm out of jail today. I will be going to Shivayogi ashrama in Davanagere....will speak in detail later, it is time to remain silent now. The legal fight is on, I'm hopeful that the truth will win...I have already told devotees what I have to, legal fight will continue," he told reporters here.
Although the Karnataka High Court had initially granted him bail in November 2023, the decision was challenged in the Supreme Court, which had ruled that he would only be released after the interrogation of 13 witnesses.
Basavaprabhu Swami, the interim chief of Murugha Math, expressed satisfaction with the court's decision, saying, "We are happy that he has finally been released from prison."
Swami added that while the seer had been barred from entering Chitradurga district, he would reside at a Math unit in nearby district headquarters town of Davangere and continue to contest the charges legally.
Shivamurthy Sharana was arrested in 2022, followed by the detention of several other individuals connected to the case, including the warden of the Math-run hostel and a junior pontiff. Three FIRs were registered against him. The first, filed on August 26, 2022, included charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Another, on October 13, 2022, was lodged by a cook employed at the Math, alleging that the seer had sexually assaulted four girls, including her daughters.
A third case, filed in October 2022, accused the Math of concealing information about minors living on the premises.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
