Shivamurthy Sharanaru of Muruga mutt acquitted in first POCSO case

Bengaluru

In a major development, the Second Additional District and Sessions Court in Chitradurga on Wednesday acquitted Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru of Muruga mutt in the first POCSO case filed against him, offering significant relief after years of legal proceedings.

The court delivered its judgment in the case that had shocked Karnataka, involving allegations of sexual assault on a schoolgirl. The verdict pertained to the first POCSO case and the charge sheets ‘A’ and ‘B’.

Judge G C Hadapad, who heard the matter, acquitted three accused — Shivamurthy Sharana, second accused Rashmi, and fourth accused and mutt manager Paramashivayya. All three were present in court when the judgment was pronounced.

The initial complaint was filed on August 26, 2022, at Nazarbad Police Station in Mysuru and later transferred to Chitradurga Rural Police Station. Shivamurthy was arrested on September 1, 2022.

Multiple sections under the POCSO Act, IPC, SC/ST Atrocities Act, Religious Institutions Abuse Prevention Act, and the Juvenile Justice Act were invoked.

After spending nearly 14 months in judicial custody, Shivamurthy was granted conditional bail in November 2023. Since then, he had been residing in Davanagere while the trial continued.

Second POCSO case still pending

While the accused have been acquitted in the first case, the second POCSO case—which includes similar charges under the POCSO Act, IPC, SC/ST Atrocities Act, Religious Institutions Abuse Prevention Act, and Juvenile Justice Act—remains under trial. The judgment in the second case is yet to be delivered.

The verdict in the first case drew widespread attention, as the proceedings have remained a focal point for Chitradurga and the state over the past three years.