Woman lodges sexual harassment case against seer Raghaveshwara Bharati


Bangalore, Aug 27 (DHNS) :The Banashankari police on Wednesday registered a case of sexual harassment and criminal intimidation against Ramachandrapura Mutt seer Raghaveshwara Bharati and his disciples.

Following a complaint lodged by Anshumathi Shastri, the daughter of Diwakara Shastry and Premalatha, residents of Banashankari in Bangalore, the police registered a case against the seer and others under IPC Sections 354A (sexual harassment) and 506 (criminal intimidation).

Premalatha is one of the performers in Ramakatha, a group dance based on mythology, for the last three years, organised by the seer. Diwakara Shastry was closely associated with the Mutt’s administration.

Anshumathi stated in the complaint that her mother Premalatha had said that the seer and his disciples had sexually harassed her. When her family members were contemplating to lodge a complaint against them, the seer’s disciples learnt about their intentions, called up Premalatha and threatened her against lodging a complaint. However, the family members were determined to lodge complaints against the seer and his disciples.

To put them in trouble, the seer’s disciples lodged ‘false’ complaint against Premalatha and Diwakara Shastry with the Honnavar police. A team of Honnavar police thus took Diwakara Shastry and Premalatha into custody, claiming that they would produce them before the local court, Anshumathi said in the complaint.

She stated that she and her sister were in the house and were getting threat calls from the seer’s disciples, she added and sought police protection.

“The police consulted legal experts and then registered cases against the seer and his disciples. The police have directed the complainant to provide documents to prove her allegations,” a senior police officer told Deccan Herald.

The Honnavar police arrested Diwakara Shastry and Premalatha for blackmailing the seer to tarnish his image, based on a complaint lodged by R Chandrashekhar. The couple were produced before the local court. The judge remanded them in judicial custody for one day. The hearing will continue on Thursday.

In the complaint, Chandrashekhar stated that Diwakara and Premalatha called up the seer on the phone and demanded Rs three crore from him. They threatened to tarnish his image if he failed to pay them the money.

They also threatened of lodging a sexual harassment complaint against him and disclose everything to the media, he added in the complaint. He claimed that Diwakar demanded a prominent position in the Mutt’s administration and a lead role for Premalatha in the upcoming Ramakatha event.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Krishnan,

    Thu, Dec 04 2014

    How can you not believe the woman? Like kanchi swami this swami could also be a culprit.with so much they revive they are bound to get Kama.. 36 mutt heads did not have complaints because social pressures prevented that. I am sure they would been guilty too... Do not let priests run the show .. Keep control on the money and they can talk spirituality.... Give them money they may lad up screwing your women.. That goes all priests of all relegions.. We are truly de to and we should manage our affairs..

    DisAgree [3] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • sadanand, Padubidri,mumbai

    Mon, Sep 01 2014

    dear sachidanand shetty, every one is having ther own fath about guruji & god, my self close attach with sri sri sri guruji since 10 years, we know how guruji is giving blessing to all of us, now guruji is the popular in karnataka and all over india about ramkatha, if really you want toknow about guruji then visit once at ramkatha, then you must also think about gurujis knowledge.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • RKH, Sirsi

    Sun, Aug 31 2014

    no one is doing vyakti pooja here.. Matt is 1300 years old and there are 36 seers came from the inception. People are worshiping Peeta through swamiji..Along with Adyatma, he is helping socity as well. Temple is always there to worship and first everyone goes to temple and then swamiji. Swamiji also worship "rama".

    DisAgree [9] Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse

  • shivaram, Kasaragod

    Fri, Aug 29 2014

    The entire episode shows how this couple is thirsty for money and to achieve that they are ready to sell whatever is possible from their end.
    Please attend once swamijis ramakatha once and see the message what is he is conveying, or please check in youtube.

    DisAgree [10] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • Krishnamurhty, Bangalore

    Fri, Aug 29 2014

    Purely a fabricated case. Sad to see people stooping to such low levels to tarnish the image of Swamiji who has tirelessly worked for the welfare of the society.

    DisAgree [8] Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rajagopal, Mangalore

    Fri, Aug 29 2014

    Shri guruji of Ramachandrapur mutt is already gained such a high position and had won the heart of millions of devotees. This act by this singer is pre planned and initiated with for her family gain and personal gain. If guruji indulged such act why she did not report it earlier? Where were her husband and daughter till then? She also stated that more than 100 times she was abused. Why then till now hanging around him? She stated during rama katha guruji looks at her from toes to head. Was he singing alone in front of Guruji? definitely it is a baseless allegation to save her family from the act her husband involved in criminal act of her husband. since the case in investigation process every one will breath free once court gives its verdict. Satyameva Jayate.

    DisAgree [7] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • JNB, Bejai

    Fri, Aug 29 2014

    Money unites
    Money spoils
    Money divides
    Money speaks

    DisAgree [2] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rita, Germany

    Fri, Aug 29 2014

    I ask myself why should the couple if at all make calls to Matt and try to blackmail?without any hot coals no fire .who is blackmailing whom?someone must be having calls recorded if needed.The mother herself could have lodged a complaint instead of daughter.after all she is educated.Or some relationship between the mother and some Matt (Sorry)which came to the notice of father and started making calls?All seems to be a big mystery.Hope they will settle it intern without big tam tam.For Matts also a bad Name however and whatever it is.

    DisAgree [14] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Societal Web, Dubai

    Thu, Aug 28 2014

    To be on the safe side, clergy should not comment on such issues. Forgiving is good, yes, but to what extent?

    DisAgree [6] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Thu, Aug 28 2014

    There is no smoke without FIRE ...

    DisAgree [19] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Fr Victor Machado, Mangalore/Tanzania

    Thu, Aug 28 2014

    Looks like an internal rivalry. Hope they will settle it through mutual give and take rather than in the courts in the interest of both the parties.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [31] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shahul, Honnali

    Thu, Aug 28 2014

    It is really sad to know that spiritual leader is involved in this

    DisAgree [41] Agree [33] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mohandas Kapikad, Mangaluru

    Thu, Aug 28 2014

    Mr Sahul, what actually do you know about the spirtual leader here ? Threatning calls had been received from these couple & their people, & naturally after certain limit people who received calls, have complained with Police to track out the source. Naturally, they have conducted investigation & taken necessary action.
    Here Swamiji shouldn't be blamed, & if you have attended any Ramakatha event, you can see message of moral value only which is drawn from Indian mythology, presented with mixture of Music & Art. The blame entirely rests on source which tries to demorolise such moral events.

    Now, anyway the matter is in Court, & we wish a clear cut enquiry into the episode.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [29] Reply Report Abuse

  • Purushottam, Mangalore

    Thu, Aug 28 2014

    It's unfortunate that now a days who has to guide the people are them self indulging in immoral acts,and thereby belittling the position they hold.

    DisAgree [33] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • shivaram, Kasaragod

    Fri, Aug 29 2014

    How you concluded this?

    DisAgree [1] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vincent Rodrigues, katapadi/Bangalore

    Thu, Aug 28 2014

    It is most unfortunate in these days having sex allegations against the swamijis.

    DisAgree [12] Agree [58] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mohandas Kapikad, Mangaluru

    Thu, Aug 28 2014

    This is a pitable situation as how a well reputed artist can stoop down to such a low level. She was a prime artist(Singer) in Ramakatha, & now new entrants are getting opportunity to perform & this serves as a stepping stone to a bright future. Shankari Balila, Deepika Bhat, Aniroopa Kolkata is of such new artists who have entered in recent past(Aprox 1 year), & old artist like this lady feel they are sidelined...& this is the next course of action. Threatening new artists, & ultimately their master itself. Basic principle that we should never forget our source of earning should be kept in mind, especially this applicable for this lady.

    DisAgree [23] Agree [56] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sachidanand Shetty, Mundkur/Dubai

    Thu, Aug 28 2014

    Whether this Particular Seer has done wrong thing or not…. But I pledge our people to believe in GOD but not indulge in “Vyakthi Pooja” then this kind of situations can be avoided forever. When we have so many Temples or Mandir to worship GOD, then no need to go near any Swamiji or Saint unnecessarily!!!!

    DisAgree [14] Agree [83] Reply Report Abuse

  • N.M, Mangalore

    Thu, Aug 28 2014

    @Sachidanand - i totally agree with you.We must learn to believe in GOD and mustn't indulge in “Vyakthi Pooja”. AFter all Humans are mortals.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [58] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mohandas Kapikad, Mangaluru

    Thu, Aug 28 2014

    The news here mentioned is puely biased. The Math started receiving blackmailing calls separately to few of its staffs & Artists in Ramakatha, & on 17th August Police Complaints were lodged, by the Artists in Ramakatha by Deepika Bhat, Shankari Balila, Chandrashekar,& others separately. Police on tracking the phone call & its thorough enquiry found this couple to behind scene, & then they arrested on 26th August, 2014. On 27th the above mentioned case was filed by Anshumathi Shastri(Daughter of Couple) in Banashankari Police Station complaining here mother being met with sexual harasement.

    This clearly shows that the above mentioned case is countercase filed against the orginal one, as a protection measure. If this case was real, why it wasn't filed earlier, & that too after arrest. Here Unseen hands is suspected to defame the Swamiji's image, as he is known for his social service & popularity. I strongly condemen the activity of this couple, who try to misuse the Court by lodging false case, as they are now clearly caught red handed.

    DisAgree [36] Agree [94] Reply Report Abuse

  • Proud Hindustani, Hindustan

    Thu, Aug 28 2014

    Shantum Papum ....

    DisAgree [19] Agree [47] Reply Report Abuse


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