In a major development that has stirred both relief among supporters and concern among child rights activists, a Chitradurga court on Wednesday acquitted Murugha Mutt leader Shivamurthy Murugha Sharan in one of the two high-profile cases registered against him under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The case, lodged in 2022, accused the pontiff and others associated with the mutt of sexually abusing minors residing in the institution’s hostel. After more than three years of legal proceedings, Second Additional Sessions Court Judge Gangadharappa Hadapad ruled that the prosecution had failed to provide sufficient evidence to secure a conviction. A detailed judgment is expected to be released soon.

The acquittal marks a turning point in a case that has drawn statewide attention, not only because of the stature of the accused, but also due to the complex trajectory of the investigation, the involvement of multiple agencies, and allegations of lapses in procedure. The case originally began in August 2022 when two minor girls from the mutt’s hostel approached authorities with allegations of sexual abuse involving five individuals: the pontiff, a hostel warden, a manager, and two others affiliated with the institution. Based on the complaint, an FIR was registered under the POCSO Act’s stringent provisions, including Sections 5(L), 6, and 7, as well as under Sections 376(2)(N), 376(3), and 149 of the Indian Penal Code.

Initially filed in Mysuru, the case was soon transferred to Chitradurga for further handling. Police moved swiftly in the early stages, arresting the pontiff and the warden within six days of the FIR. Shivamurthy Murugha Sharan remained in judicial custody for nearly fourteen months during the investigation. In October 2022, the investigation team filed a charge sheet but dropped two of the accused, stating that there was insufficient evidence to justify their continued inclusion in the case. The legal process that followed included multiple bail hearings, custody extensions, and appeals across various levels of the judiciary.

The acquitted case, however, represents only one part of the legal battle confronting the pontiff. A separate sexual harassment case, filed on October 13, 2022, remains pending against him. This second FIR was based on a complaint filed by a mutt employee, who alleged that the pontiff had sexually abused his two minor daughters, also residents of the hostel. Seven individuals, including mutt staff members, were named in this FIR. Unlike the first case, the second matter has continued to move through the courts, and the inquiry remains active.

The pontiff’s legal journey in the months following the filing of the second FIR was turbulent. Although the Karnataka High Court granted him conditional bail in November 2023, which led to his brief release, he was taken into custody again just four days later after failing to receive relief in the second case. A sessions court issued the arrest order, but intervention by the high court the same evening resulted in his release. The victims then approached the Supreme Court, expressing concern about potential influence over the investigation and seeking stronger judicial oversight. The Supreme Court responded by directing that the pontiff remain in custody until the completion of the primary evidence stage.

Complying with the directive, the pontiff surrendered in May 2024 and remained in custody until the examination of thirteen witnesses. After this stage was completed, he secured bail in October 2024. This extended period of judicial supervision underscored the seriousness with which the Supreme Court viewed the allegations and the need to preserve the integrity of the evidence.

Wednesday’s verdict, however, has revived debate over the adequacy and fairness of the police investigation. Child rights activists associated with Odanadi Seva Samsthe—a Mysuru-based organisation that has long worked with survivors of trauma and had offered support to the complainants—voiced strong criticism of the acquittal. Activist ML Parashuram stated that the investigative team had committed “many mistakes” and claimed that key documents were omitted from the case file. He further alleged that a conspiracy case had been filed against the activists themselves merely for pointing out investigative lapses. Parashuram noted that he would issue a more detailed response after studying the full judgment once it is made public.

Another activist, KV Stanley, expressed disappointment in the outcome and urged the state government to pursue the case further. He said that if the government chose not to challenge the verdict, the activists were prepared to file an appeal independently. According to Stanley, the legal system demonstrated bias by favouring the accused, while the complainant children were left without adequate institutional support. He asserted that “hundreds of mistakes” occurred during the investigation, raising concerns about whether the case had been weakened by procedural shortcomings rather than a lack of merit.

On the other hand, counsel for the pontiff, KB Swami, confirmed the court’s decision and suggested that justice had been served. Supporters of the mutt leader have consistently maintained that the allegations were fabricated and politically motivated, intended to tarnish the reputation of a revered religious institution and its head.

Following the announcement of the acquittal, the pontiff addressed the media briefly but refrained from making substantive comments. Speaking in a restrained tone, he said, “I will have to remain quiet for a few more days. The time to speak is not far, and I will convene a formal press meet and place all the details before you.” To all questions posed by journalists at the court premises, he responded only with “No comments,” maintaining that he would elaborate once he studied the order.

As news of his acquittal spread, scenes of celebration unfolded at the Murugha Mutt. Even before the pontiff arrived, devotees gathered in large numbers, chanting slogans, offering prayers, and expressing relief at what they saw as vindication. When he eventually reached the mutt, senior leaders urged the crowd to maintain decorum, but the jubilant atmosphere persisted, with supporters distributing sweets and embracing one another.

While the acquittal marks a significant moment for the pontiff and his followers, the legal saga is far from over. The second POCSO case remains under active consideration, and activists have signalled their intent to push for stricter scrutiny. The detailed judgment in the acquitted case, once released, will likely shape the discourse around the investigation and may also influence decisions about appeals.

For now, the verdict has laid bare the tensions between the legal process, the expectations of civil society organisations, and the emotional investment of the religious community. The coming months will determine whether the state government chooses to challenge the decision and how the pending case progresses.