Schoolgirl sexual abuse case: Lingayat seer sent to police custody for 4 days

Less than a day after being arrested, Lingayat seer Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru developed health complications.

The chief pontiff of the Murugha Math in Karnataka has been arrested over allegations of sexually abusing underage school girls.

Sharanaru was taken to the Chitradurga district hospital on 2 September 2022 after experiencing health issues.

The Lingayat leader, who was earlier remanded to 14 days' judicial custody, has now been sent to policy custody for 4 days Sharanaru and 4 others have been booked in the case.

Two girls, aged 15 and 16, studying in a school run by the Murugha Math and residing in a hostel, were allegedly sexually abused.

Also watch: Karnataka: Lingayat seer, accused of sexual assault of school girls, arrested

The Lingayat seer has been booked under POCSO Act, SC/ST Act, and sections of the IPC. He was arrested on 1 September after protests broke out alleging police inaction in the case.