Posco Case: Supreme Court Stays Bail for Karnataka Seer Accused of Child Sexual Assault
The Supreme Court recently issued a stay on a November 2023 order from the Karnataka High Court that had granted conditional bail to Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru, the pontiff of Murugha Rajendra Bruhanmath of Chitradurga. Sharanaru was arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act on charges of sexually assaulting minor girls in a hostel operated by the math.
In overturning the bail order, a division bench consisting of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Prashanth Kumar Mishra directed Sharanaru to surrender before the Chitradurga court within a week to face the ongoing case. The decision came in response to a criminal special leave to appeal filed by the father of one of the minor girls against the Karnataka High Court’s ruling.
Sharanaru, a prominent figure, was accused of sexually assaulting minor girls and was apprehended under the POCSO Act. The petitioner argued that due to Sharanaru’s wealth and influence, granting him bail might lead to him tampering with witnesses and influencing the case’s outcome.
The apex court, after initial scrutiny, determined that keeping Sharanaru in custody during the examination of factual witnesses would ensure a fair trial, not only for the accused but also for the victims. However, it refrained from delving into the case’s merits, as doing so could potentially impact the trial proceedings.
The Supreme Court suspended the implementation of the contested bail order for a four-month period, extendable by an additional two months if necessary. Sharanaru was given one week to surrender to the Trial Court, which was instructed to reframe the charges and expedite the trial process. The court emphasized that witness examination should be completed within four months, possibly on a day-to-day basis if required.
Furthermore, the Trial Court was tasked with monitoring the conduct of all parties involved, with instructions to report any attempts to unduly prolong the trial. Such reports would be forwarded to the higher court for review and action if deemed necessary.
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