Chitradurga, Nov 17: Murgha Mutt seer Shivamurthy Sharana, who was in judicial custody since September last year for committing an alleged crime under POCSO Act, was released from the jail here on Thursday.
The release orders were issued by the Second Additional District and Sessions Court after the Karnataka High Court granted him bail on November 8.
The sessions court also directed the district prison authorities to release the seer after examining the conditions imposed by the high court.
Instead of visiting the Mutt in Chitradurga, he travelled to Davanagere Mutt to stay there as per restrictions imposed by the court.
Speaking to reporters on his release, the seer said he would not make any comment as the proceedings in the court are underway. “Everything will be good in the future,” he said.
The pontiff is facing two POCSO cases, and was granted bail on a personal bond of Rs 2 lakh and two sureties for similar amounts, and warned not to tamper with evidence or influence the witnesses.
On October 13, the high court granted bail to accused No.3 Paramashivaiah in the first POCSO case against the seer and others.
Mysuru-based NGO Odanadi Seva Samsthe had lodged complaint against the seer and four others, alleging sexual assault on minor students studying in the Mutt’s school and those staying in hostel.
The Mysuru police had registered a case under POCSO and SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The case was transferred to the Chitradurga Rural police station subsequently.
The second case was registered after two more students filed a complaint.
