Did K'taka government take action by demolishing illegal religious mutt in Belagavi after seer's arrest?

Kalaburagi (Karnataka), May 30 (NationPress) The Karnataka government has taken decisive action, demolishing the illegal Ram Mandir Mutt located in Mekhali, Belagavi district, following the arrest of its head seer in connection with a serious case involving the kidnapping and rape of a minor girl.

The demolition occurred late Thursday night, executed by the district administration with the aid of JCB excavators, under the supervision of police officials and the Tehsildar. Authorities indicated that the Hindu seer had constructed the Mutt by illegally encroaching on government land.

The accused seer had built the Mutt approximately 10 years ago. Following his arrest, local residents expressed their determination to prevent his return to both the Mutt and Mekhali village. Allegations of land encroachment emerged promptly after the incident.

Officials reported that the seer, originally from Kalaburagi, had established the Ram Mandir Mutt on eight acres of government land with survey number 225, where he conducted various religious activities.

Despite receiving multiple notices from the Tehsildar to vacate the government land, the seer allegedly disregarded these warnings and continued to operate from the encroached site, as stated by officials.

Authorities confirmed that the illegal structure has been fully demolished, with the reclaimed land designated for transfer to the Hubli Electricity Supply Company (HESCOM).

The seer is currently facing charges for the alleged rape of a 17-year-old girl in Karnataka's Belagavi district. The police have initiated a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against the accused.

A formal complaint was lodged at the Bagalkot Women's Police Station, which was later transferred to the Mudalagi police station.

According to police reports, the seer allegedly raped the girl multiple times, threatening to kill her if she disclosed the events.

On May 13, the seer took the girl to Raichur, where they stayed for two days, eventually moving to Bagalkot on May 15 for another two days.

Under the pretense of returning the girl to her home, the seer took advantage of the situation to commit the crime.

On May 17, he left the victim at the Mahalingapura bus stop in the Bagalkot district. Later, she disclosed her experience to her parents, prompting a complaint at the Bagalkot Women's Police Station.

Initial investigations indicate that the girl's parents, who were devotees of the Mutt and held the accused seer in high regard, frequently left their daughter there for extended periods. Police assert that the seer exploited this trust. Allegations of illegal activities surrounding both the Mutt and the seer have also surfaced.

It was revealed during the investigation that the accused seer had previously faced violence from villagers in 2021. Local residents had urged the police to take stringent legal action against him.

The police have documented statements from villagers and the victim. The accused seer has been presented before the court and has been remanded to judicial custody.