Karnataka High Court Stays JJ Act Case Against Murugha Mutt's Seer Accused Of Concealing Info About Minors Residing In Orphanages

The Karnataka High Court on Friday [June 12] stayed the criminal proceedings pending against Dr. Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru, the pontiff of Murugha Mutt in Chitradurga in a JJ Act case alleging concealment of information about minors residing in institutions/orphanages run by the Mutt.

The single judge bench of Justice M. Nagaprasanna, while hearing a petition filed by the seer challenging the cognizance order, observed that the trial court's order taking cognizance for offences under Sections 33 and 34 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (JJ Act) 'discloses no semblance of application of mind' and that the basic 'ingredients' of the said provisions are not made out prima facie.

“…If the order of cognisance is seen, there is no semblance of application of mind. The only allegation is that the details of inmates in the orphanage were not communicated to the competent authority…. the ingredients of Sections 33 and 34 of the JJ Act are not met…” the Court observed while granting an interim stay on all further proceedings before the Chitra Durga Trial Court until the next date of hearing.

“…In light of the above, there will be an interim stay on the proceedings till the next date of hearing…” the Court ordered today.

The controversy arose in August 2022 when the Madilu Special Adoption Center and Akkamahadevi and Basava Residential Homes under Jagadguru Murugarajendra Bruhanmath Mutt came to the attention of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). It was alleged that a minor boy was kept illegally in the institution without informing the concerned departments, in violation of Section 33 of the JJ Act. Additionally, a girl child was reportedly kept in Akkamahadevi Residential Home without any intimation to the CWC, the FIR alleged.

Based on a complaint filed by the District Child Protection Officer of Chitradurga, an NC report (non-cognizable) was registered against the Seer and other functionaries of the institutions.

Since the offences under Sections 33 [Non reporting of abandoned child} and 34 [Penalty for non-reporting] of the JJ Act are non‑cognizable, the police sought permission from the jurisdictional trial court to register an FIR. On October 18, 2022, the court granted the permission to register the FIR and the court at Chitra Durga took cognisance of the offences.

In the plea challenging the aforesaid proceedings before the High Court, the Seer contended that even if the violations are taken at face value, it would at the most amount only to a regulatory lapse of 'sheltering' without reporting under the JJ Act and does not constitute a criminal offence warranting prosecution.

Moreover, the Seer argued that he cannot be held vicariously liable for the day-to-day functioning of the adoption centre, even though he is the head of the Mutt. One of the accused functionaries, the person in charge of the adoption centre alone was liable for ensuring compliance with statutory protocols, and no vicarious liability can be invoked under Sections 33 and 34 of JJ Act, the petitioner stated.

It may be recalled that in 2022, Dr. Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru, the pontiff of Murugha Mutt of Chitradurga, was separately accused of sexually abusing two minor girls staying in the hostels run by the Mutt.

Thereafter, the accused was charged by the police along with the four other accused Shivamurthy Murugha (hostel warden) Akkamahadevi Rashmi (Mutt follower), Parashivaiah Basavaditya (Mutt office bearer) and Gangadharaiah (lawyer), after two girl students approached a Mysuru-based NGO Odanadi Seva Samsthe seeking help.

Subsequently, an FIR was filed at the Nazarbad police station based on a complaint by the aforesai NGO. The case was transferred to Chitradurga and the students were brought to the district Bala Mandira to record their statements and for medical examination.

In November 2025, a trial court at Chithradurga had acquitted the Seer for the alleged offences including gang rape, criminal intimidation, and Sections 5 (1) and 6 of the POCSO Act. The court cited the lack of corroboration by the witnesses and the absence of sufficient CCTV footage, pointing to the lapses in police investigation.

Advocates K B K Swamy and Honnappa appeared for the petitioner Seer.

Case Title: Dr. Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru v. State of Karnataka & Ors

Case No: CRL.P 17505/2026