POCSO case registered against expelled Panchamasali seer Vachanananda Swamiji

Mangalore Today News Network

Davanagere, May 15, 2026: Vachanananda Swamiji, the expelled seer of the Harihara Veerashaiva Lingayat Panchamasali Peetha, has been hit with major legal trouble after a case was registered against him under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for the alleged sexual assault of a minor boy.

According to police sources, the parents of the 14-year-old victim initially filed a complaint last week at the Lakshmeshwara police station in Gadag district, where a ’Zero FIR’ was filed.

However, because the alleged assault took place while the boy was living and studying at a hostel run by the Veerashaiva Lingayat Panchamasali Gurupeetha in Harihara, the case was recently transferred to the Harihara Rural police station in Davanagere district for further action.

Allegations of Exploitation and Threats

The complainant has alleged that the Swamiji harassed and sexually exploited the minor boy. According to the complaint, the seer forced the boy to give him massages and threatened him with severe consequences if he spoke to anyone about the ordeal.

The Harihara police have launched an investigation after registering the POCSO case. The Superintendent of Police noted that the matter is being handled with the utmost sensitivity.

    "The statements of both the complainant and the minor boy have been officially recorded. The boy’s medical examination is currently underway. A detailed investigation is in progress, and all allegations are being thoroughly verified," the police announced on Wednesday.

Previous Complaints to the CWC

This legal development follows recent public allegations made by Peetha trustee Chandrashekar Poojar, who openly criticized Vachanananda as a "massage-loving" Swamiji. Following those disclosures, three children residing at the Peetha’s hostel approached the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) to lodge formal complaints against the seer, intensifying the pressure that ultimately resulted in his expulsion from the Peetha.