Karnataka: Lingayat mutt seer sent to 5-day police custody in sexual assault case

Chitradurga: In a major development in connection with the sex scandal involving Lingayat seer Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru, a court in Karnataka on Friday has sent the seer accused of raping minor girls to the police custody till September 5, officials said. Judge B.K. Komala has given clear directions that accused seer should not be taken to anywhere during police custody, ruling out any possibility of shifting him to Bengaluru hospital.

The police had sought 5 days` custody of the accused seer for investigation. Ruling out all possibilities of shifting the seer to Bengaluru hospital, the court rapped authorities for shifting him to the hospital without the court`s permission.

Following that, the authorities have taken the accused seer from the ICU of the district hospital to the court and presented him before the judge. Second Additional District and Sessions` court in Chitradurga took the authorities to task for shifting the accused seer who was in judicial custody to hospital without the court`s permission.

The police was also directed to present the accused seer in the court at 11 a.m. on September 5. The court had objected to the preparations to shift him to Bengaluru and talks of airlifting him. The accused seer is being treated for developing heart complications in the ICU of Chitradurga District Hospital. The doctors had also said that he would be shifted to Bengaluru hospital for additional treatment.

Looking into the petition of the police seeking 5-day police custody of the accused seer for investigation, the court asked why he was not presented at the court. The court was told the is in the hospital, and under treatment. The court objected to this and questioned why the prosecution has not sought permission from the court in this regard.

Though the prosecution asked that the accused will be presented through video conference, the court refused to oblige. The seer was arrested on Thursday night. He is facing charges under the POCSO and SC, ST Prevention of Atrocities Act. A Bengaluru court has also issued an arrest warrant against him in a misappropriation of assets case.