HC says better for seer of Ramachandrapura Mutt to step down

 The High Court on Monday orally observed that it was better for Ramachandrapura Mutt seer Raghaveshwara Bharati to ‘step down’ as the peethadipathi (head of the mutt) as there are criminal allegations against him.

Hearing a PIL filed against the mutt to remove the seer, a division bench headed by Chief Justice S K Mukherjee asked the petitioner’s counsel what were the criminal allegations.

Senior counsel S S Naganand said that the lower court has discharged the seer of the rape case filed by a Ramakatha singer, saying it was not rape, but consensual sex. Reacting to the submission made, Justice Mukherjee said that it was better for the seer to “step down’’.

The petitioners, Edurkala Ishwara Bhat and others, sought directions to remove Raghaveshwara Bharathi from the mutt and to prosecute him for misuse and abuse of holding the position of the peethadipati.

The petitioners contended that the seer has transgressed and violated all norms prescribed by the scriptures and has indulged in proscribed activities and is an accused in several matters.

There are criminal proceedings pending against the seer and has been arrested and was released on bail, the petitioners stated.

There is large scale mismanagement and financial irregularities by the seer and his coterie. The seer has let down the disciples and has brought down the name and dignity of the mutt, the petitioners contended.

They have sought directions to appoint a committee to suggest a successor to the mutt and to manage its administration. The bench directed the government counsel to give their stand in the next hearing on November 21.