Karnataka sexual abuse case: Home Minister says govt will not interfere in investigations

Bengaluru: A day after the arrest of chief pontiff of Sri Murugha Mutt, Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru, in connection with the alleged sexual assault of two minor girls, Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra said that the government will not interfere in the proceedings in any way.

He also stressed that the police can carry out the investigation drill freely. "In the POCSO case, the investigation of Murughashree, who has been arrested by the police, will be conducted according to the law of the land and there will be no government interference in any way," said Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra.
"The police are free to conduct investigations," he added.

Earlier in the day, the district sessions court sent the chief pontiff of Sri Murugha Mutt, Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru to police custody for four days.
Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru will be in police custody till September 5.

As per reports, the Police had requested the bench for 5 days of custody.
Earlier on Thursday, Karnataka Police arrested Sharanaru for the alleged sexual assault of two minor girls.
Earlier in the day, the chief pontiff of Sri Murugha Mutt, Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru was shifted to a district hospital after complaining of chest pain from where he was later taken to the district sessions court.

The Karnataka Chief Minister Basavraj Bommai said that his government is not liable to answer the allegation of "delayed" arrest of the seer of Sri Murugha Mutt, Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru over the alleged sexual assault of two minor girls and added that the state police have been given full freedom in the handling of the case.
During a media interaction, CM Bommai said, "We don't need to answer any allegations. I have already said that everything will be done according to the law. It's not appropriate to speak now. We have given a free hand to the police and they're doing their job."

"The chief pontiff of Sri Murugha Mutt, Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru, accused of sexually assaulting minors, arrested," said Alok Kumar, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Law and Order, Karnataka.
Kumar has earlier said, "The due procedure will be followed. Medical tests and investigations will be done as per the procedure. He will also be produced before the judge."

An FIR under the POCSO Act has been registered against the pontiff of the influential Muruga Mutt in Chitradurga after minor girls made allegations of sexual harassment against him.
The FIR has been filed against Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru of Murugha Mutt in Chitradurga.
According to the FIR, the girls were abused for over two years. Many leaders of the state and across the country have reacted to this matter.
Speaking about it, Lahar Singh Siroya, BJP Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha said, "This is an extremely shocking and sad development. Each time something like this happens it shakes our confidence in our own surroundings, and in our own people.

As a society, we owe it to ourselves that these allegations are probed thoroughly and impartially. The Karnataka government and all political parties have to ensure that there are no pulls, pressures, politics and interference in this case. The girls deserve nothing but justice."
Speaking about the same, Karnataka minister V Somanna on Monday said, "Let the police investigate the case and let the truth come out. It is not appropriate to speak on the case as an investigation is underway," Somanna said. (ANI)