Yadgir: A local court denied bail to self-styled godman Mallikarjun Muthya here Monday. Judge Marulasiddaradhya of district principal and special Pocso court, who heard his bail application, rejected the plea.Muthya, who faces charges under the Pocso Act for misbehaving with minor girls, is absconding and has filed an anticipatory bail application to avoid arrest. After a case was registered at Gogi police station, he moved Kalaburagi bench of high court, later withdrew the plea and filed another application before Yadgir district court.
Following the court order, police intensified the investigation and are preparing to arrest him. They are also said to be collecting digital evidence from four smartphones seized from Muthya.Meanwhile, his devotees intensified their agitation, demanding that the case against the Gogi police station be withdrawn. They argued that no victim or aggrieved person filed the complaint and that the govt registered it. “Muthya was kind enough to resolve girls’ issues, and he treats all girls as his daughters,” they added.
