HC reserves judgement on Murugha Mutt

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The division bench, comprising Chief Justice Prasanna B Varale and Justice MGS Kamal, concluded the hearing of an appeal challenging the order of a single-judge bench.

The single-judge bench had previously set aside the appointment of an administrator by the State Government.

The judgment has been reserved by the bench and is expected to be announced soon. However, the Court did not specify a date for the announcement.

In the meantime, an interim administrator, the Principal District Judge of Chitradurga, who was appointed by the High Court and assumed office on July 4, is currently overseeing the management of Murugharajendra Bruhan Mutt.

The Mutt has asserted that Basava Prabhu, a swamiji from a branch of the Mutt, has been granted power of attorney by the pontiff Shivamurthy Sharana.

Basava Prabhu is managing the affairs of the Mutt and its educational institutions as a caretaker. Notably, Shivamurthy Sharana is currently in judicial custody and is facing charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.

On December 13, 2022, the State government appointed retired IAS officer PS Vastrad as the administrator of the Mutt's Trust and its educational institution, SJM Vidya Peetha.

This appointment was contested in the High Court by pontiff Shivamurthy Sharanu and SJM Vidya Peetha. Subsequently, on May 22, 2023, the singlejudge bench, presided over by Justice Krishna S Dixit, ruled that the Government lacked the authority to appoint an administrator for the Mutt and its associated educational institutions.

The decision of the single judge was appealed before the Division Bench, and the case is currently awaiting judgment.