The second Additional Sessions Court of Chitradurga has acquitted Dr Shivamurthy Murugha Sharan in the first POCSO case registered against him in 2022, offering significant relief to the controversial seer of the Murugha Mutt. The court declared that the prosecution had failed to establish charges against him, ruling him innocent. The court also acquitted the second accused, Rashmi, and the fourth accused, Paramashivayya. Senior advocate C.V. Nagesh argued on behalf of Murughashree, whose legal battle has drawn widespread public and political attention over the past two years.
The first POCSO case was registered on August 26, 2022, at Nazarabad Police Station in Mysuru, following a complaint filed by two minor girls from the monastery hostel. They accused A1 Dr Shivamurthy Murugha Sharan, A2 Lady Warden Rashmi, A3 Hostel Warden Basavaditya, A4 Manager Paramashivayya, and A5 Advocate Gangadharayya of sexual harassment and criminal misconduct. The case was transferred to Chitradurga Rural Police Station the next day. Police arrested A1 Murughashree and A2 Rashmi on September 1, 2022. During the filing of the chargesheet, A3 Basavaditya and A5 Gangadharaiah were dropped from the list of accused.
Another POCSO case had been filed earlier on August 13, 2022, by the monastery cook, who alleged that his two minor daughters were sexually harassed while staying in the mutt’s hostel. This second case included a larger list of accused: A1 Murughashree, A2 Rashmi, A3 Basavaditya, A4 Paramashivaiah, A5 Advocate Gangadharaiah, A6 Assistant Mahalinga, and A7 Kitchen Assistant Karibasappa.
Several twists have marked Murughashree’s legal journey. On November 8, 2023, the Karnataka High Court granted him conditional bail in the first case, following which he was released from jail on November 16. However, he was arrested again on November 20 in connection with the second POCSO case after failing to secure bail. Though the Chitradurga court ordered his arrest, he was released the same evening on High Court instructions.
In a major setback for the seer, the victims approached the Supreme Court seeking cancellation of his bail. The apex court ordered that he be taken into custody until the completion of the key evidence hearings. Complying with the order, Murughashree surrendered before the court on May 27, 2024, after which he was placed under judicial custody. He was eventually released on bail on October 7, 2024, after the court completed recording statements from 13 witnesses, including the two survivors.
Following today’s acquittal verdict, Murughashree appeared before the media but refrained from making detailed comments. “I have to maintain silence for a few more days. I will address everything officially in a press conference soon,” he said, responding to questions with brief “no comments.”
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