A priest associated with a mutt in Karnataka's Yadgir district has been arrested on charges of sexual misconduct with a 16-year-old girl and is under arrest under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and other provisions of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The incident took place in the vicinity of Sakryanayaka Tanda in Yadgir taluk, said a police source. Annappa, who was a priest of Bhagyavanti Mutt in a forested area, was accused of sexually harassing the young girl in the name of religion, the official said. The mutt is known among devotees in the vicinity, and the accused did religious rituals and prayers for visitors who visited the shrine.
The case was unearthed when the victim’s mother provided information about the alleged abuse. Police immediately investigated based on her complaint and registered a case. The minor was counselled and supported by the police, and the girl has admitted to the accused priest's inappropriate behaviour in their conversations, officials said.
The victim said the priest had repeatedly touched her and acted indecently. In counselling, she said Annappa touched her inappropriately and made her uncomfortable, she said. In this case, the accused allegedly used his position of trust and authority to approach the minor with inappropriate intentions.
The 16-year-old girl had been living away from her biological mother for some time, sources said. After the complaint was made, officials from the Women and Child Development Department were involved in the case to ensure the victim got the assistance and protection.
Based on the counselling and the preliminary inquiry, Nagamma Hiremath, a supervisor of the Women and Child Development Department, filed a formal complaint at the Women's Police Station. Based on the complaint, police filed a case against Annappa under Sections 8 and 10 of the POCSO Act, which deal with sexual assault and aggravated sexual assault against minors. Sections 75(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita were also invoked.
After registration of the case, police arrested the accused priest and launched further investigation. The accusations are now being investigated in all aspects of the case, including when the accused came in contact with the minor and if there were more victims.
The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of children and the need to be vigilant when minors interact with people in positions of authority. Child protection proponents stress that minors’ rights and well-being are safeguarded by handling cases with sensitivity, confidentiality, and strict adherence to legal procedures.
The investigation will be conducted rigorously, and every piece of evidence will be examined, the police have said. They also asked parents and guardians to report any child abuse promptly.
As the investigation continues, authorities have reiterated their commitment to providing justice to the victim while safeguarding her privacy in accordance with legal provisions governing cases involving minors. Further details will come into view as police continue their investigation into the allegations against the accused priest.
