From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Aug 28: The registering of an FIR against the pontiff of the influential Murugha Math in Chitradurga, Shivamurthy Sharana in a case under the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act is being handled by the police and they have been given a free hand to conduct investigation, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said in Bengaluru on Sunday, August 28.

Speaking to media persons near his Race Course road residence in the city, he said a case under the POSCO Act has been registered for sexual abuse of two high school girls in the Math’s hostel in Chitradurga for over a year.

“This is a very serious and grave case as it is a POSCO case. At the same time, a complaint of kidnapping has also been registered in Chitradurga. Police have clubbed both the cases together and are investigating," he said.

The chief minister said it will be improper on his part to speak about the case or comment in view of the police investigation.

It may be recalled that the police have filed FIR against five persons, including the seer and the hostel warden. The girls had escaped from the Math and approached Odanadi Seva Samsthe, an NGO m Mysuru, and narrated their plight. After conducting a preliminary inquiry, the NGO approached the Mysuru Women and Child Welfare Department, which asked the Nazarabad police in Mysuru to register a case on their complaint. The case was later transferred to Chitradurga as the math and the hostel are located there.

The chief minister also said the deputy Commissioners of the districts severely affected by the heavy rains, have been asked to take up relief and rehabilitation measures. He promised to discuss with the deputy commissioners and a decision on providing higher relief amounts will be taken.

Bommai said there was no confusion over the holding of Ganesh festival at the Idgah Maidan in Chamarajpet. Revenue Minister R Ashok is holding discussions with the officials and a decision will be taken soon.