Sexual abuse case against seer handed over to CID

www.mangaloretoday.com

Karvar: Sep 6, 2014 (DHNS): Investigation of all the cases pertaining to Raghaveshwara Bharati, pontiff of Ramachandrapur Mutt, have been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

A senior CID official said, “We have been told to take over the cases. But we are yet to receive a formal order. A fresh investigation will be started in this case.”

A complaint was lodged against the seer and others in Banashankari police station on August 27 by Anshumathi Shastry, stating that her mother was sexually harassed and criminally intimidated by the seer and his disciples.

Meanwhile, the investigation officer from the Girinagar police station in Bangalore served a notice on the pontiff late on Friday night, asking him to appear before them for inquiry in connection with the case.

A team of 11 policemen arrived at the Raghottama Mutt at Kekkara of Honnavar taluk in Uttara Kannada district to serve the notice. More than 2,000 devotees had gathered at the Mutt.

They prevented the police from entering inside the premises.

However, the investigating officer, with the help of the advocate, met the pontiff and served the notice to him. The seer has been asked to appear for inquiry before September 10.