Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jan 29: A special division bench has been formed by the chief justice (CJ) of the state high court for hearing the appeal preferred by Sri Raghaveshwara Swamiji of Ramachandrapur Math against a single bench ruling which had rejected his demand for cancellation of the rape case registered against him.

It may be recalled that so far, four judges of the high court have recused themselves from hearing the cases pertaining to the Swamiji. The special division bench comprises of Justice Anand Byrareddy and Justice N Anand. The case will come up before the bench at 2.30 pm on Thursday January 29.

The case pertains to allegations made by Premalata Shastri, who had been serving as Rama Katha singer for the Math till sometime back, that the Swamiji had raped her several times. The Swamiji had sought cancellation of the first information report and the rape case filed against him. After the Swamiji went on an appeal against the single judge bench decision to turn down his appeal, four judges, Justice Ram Mohan Reddy, Justice N Kumar, Justice H G Ramesh, and Justice P B Bhajantri had expressed reluctance in handling the case.