From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Sep 24: The State Government neither has nor will interfere in the investigation conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) police into the alleged sexual harassment and criminal intimidation complaints against Sri Ramachandrapura Mutt’s RaghaveshwaraBharathi Swami, said Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru on Wednesday, he said the National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Lalitha Kumaramangalam’s charge that the State government and the police delaying filing charge sheets against RaghaveshwaraBharathi Swami was "totally baseless and unfounded."

Jayachandra said the CID has been probing the case and the State Government has no intention to interfere in the case.

"After considering all angles, the CID will file charge sheet," he said.

The court has granted bail to the seer, Jayachandra said adding that Kumaramangalam’s charge against the State Government was not true.

Kumaramangalam called on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Jayachandra on Tuesday and held discussion with regard to the investigation linked to the seer’s case.

The NCW chief said the State Government "lacked political will" in taking action against the seer.
Answering questions from reporters, the minister, who is also in charge of the Animal Husbandry Department, said Jayachandra said the State Government has not taken any decision on increasing milk prices.

He declined to comment on the reported statement of the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) hinting at the likelihood of a milk price hike. "All I say is that the State Government has not taken any decision," he said.