POCSO case against pontiff: Truth will come out from probe, says CM Bommai
Bengaluru, Aug 28: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday said investigation is on in a case involving the chief pontiff of a prominent mutt based in Chitradurga, who has been booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and the truth will come out from the probe.
He however, declined to make any other comments regarding the allegations against the pontiff and the case, as a probe is underway.
"When there is an important case -- a case has been booked under POCSO Act and there is also a kidnap case in Chitradurga -- police have registered both the cases and investigation is on. In such a situation, making comments or interpreting the case is not good for investigation," Bommai said in response to a question.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "The police have complete freedom, they will investigate and the truth will come out."
The Mysuru city police have filed an FIR against Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru of Murugha Mutt in Chitradurga under the POCSO Act and certain sections of the Indian Penal Code, for alleged sexual abuse of high school girls.
The FIR has been registered in total against five people, including the warden of the monastery's hostel, based on the complaint by an officer of the District Child Protection Unit.
The girls are said to have approached 'Odanadi Seva Samsthe', a non-governmental organisation based in Mysuru, and narrated the abuse they had gone through during the counselling, following which it approached the authorities and the case was registered by the police.
Reacting to the complaint in Chitradurga, Murugha Mutt Advisory Committee member N B Vishwanath has said the charges against the pontiff were "far from the truth".
He has also alleged that the mutt's administrative officer S K Basavarajan, a former MLA, was behind the charge.
A case of sexual harassment and kidnapping has been registered against Basavarajan in Chitradurga on a complaint from a woman, who is said to be a staff at the mutt.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Two arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting woman at knifepoint in Kochi
Kochi (PTI): Two persons have been arrested after a three-member gang allegedly sexually assaulted a woman at knifepoint near Ernakulam Junction Railway station, officials said on Friday.
The arrested accused were identified as Danish (26), a native of Varkala in Thiruvananthapuram district, and Rahul (39), a native of Paravoor in Kollam district.
Police officials said they were searching for the prime accused, Sanjay, a native of Aroor in Alappuzha district.
According to police, the incident occurred on the night of May 5 when the victim was chatting with her friend near a closed hotel near Ernakulam Junction Railway station.
Officials said the accused approached them, attacked the victim’s friend and then allegedly threatened the woman with a knife before sexually assaulting her.
Police said the accused also allegedly disrobed the victim during the attack.
However, the woman managed to escape from the spot and approached a nearby shop for help.
Police were informed immediately and shifted the victim to the police station.
Officials said the accused were heavily drunk at the time of the incident and went into hiding soon after the attack.
Police registered a case on May 6 under charges including rape, disrobing a woman, criminal intimidation and robbery.
The two accused were later arrested in the city, while efforts are continuing to trace Sanjay, police said.
The accused were produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody.
