Murugha Mutt Seer Shivamurthy Sharana, who was arrested on Thursday night in connection with a case of sexually abusing minor girls, has been sent to judicial custody for 14 days. Chitradurga Superintendent of Police K Parashuram said that he would be taken again into police custody for further investigation.
Speaking to the media after the seer was sent to judicial custody early on Friday, he said, "We will move an application in the court today seeking custody of the seer."
"The hostel warden, who is the second accused in the case, was arrested yesterday and is being questioned," he said. "We are issuing notice to the three other accused for questioning."
"It took some time to gather necessary evidence before arresting the prime accused," he said. "There is no delay in the investigation."
The seer was taken to Challekere as the investigation continues to preserve law and order in the town. If a situation arises that warrants it, the prison officials will take a decision to transfer the accused to a different jail, he said.
Shivamurthy Sharana was produced before the district judge after a necessary medical check-up was completed. The judge instructed jail officials to observe the health condition of the seer, Parashuram said.
The case timeline so far:
9.30 p.m. (Thursday): Police team arrives at Murugha Mutt
10 p.m.: The investigation team takes Shivamurthy Sharana into custody
10.45 p.m.: The team brings the seer to the Deputy SP office, Challekere, for questioning
12.48 a.m.: Medical investigation begins at the district hospital, Chitradurga
2.46 a.m. (Friday): Shivamurthy Sharana is produced before the court
3 a.m.: He is sent to judicial custody
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