Yoga guru Niranjana Murthy arrested in Bengaluru for sexually assaulting minor girl

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Sep 18, 2025: The Rajarajeshwari Nagar police have arrested a popular yoga guru in Bengaluru for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor girl, officers said on Thursday.

The arrested is M Niranjana Murthy, 55, the founder and director of Sunshine The Yoga Zone in RR Nagar, west Bengaluru.

Murthy has been booked under Sections 69 (sexual intercourse by employing deceitful means, etc) and 75(2) (sexual harassment) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 12 (punishment for sexual harassment) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.

According to the police, the investigation began on August 30 when the survivor, 19, came forward and lodged a complaint. She was 17 when the alleged offence occurred. The FIR was immediately registered.

The survivor told the police that she had known Murthy since 2019, as he was the secretary-general of the Karnataka Yogasana Sports Association (KYSA). From 2021, she has been participating in yoga competitions.

She alleged that in 2023, she went with Murthy to participate in one such competition in Thailand, where he sexually assaulted her. She subsequently quit participating, the FIR noted.

She claimed that she joined the Sunshine The Yoga Zone in 2024 and was yet again sexually harassed by Murthy. The FIR said that the survivor was sexually assaulted by Murthy in August 2025 at the institute after he promised her a medal and placement. She alleged that Murthy yet again attempted to sexually assault her on August 22 by promising a state-level placement.

“He has been arrested. Further investigation is underway,” a senior police officer said.

According to the website of Sunshine The Yoga Zone, Murthy has a PhD in Yoga and captained the national team 12 times. He has also received a few awards, including the Life Achievement Award by the Government of Karnataka, the website noted.