State govt. decides to form inquiry Committee against seer of Ramachandrapura Matt

Bengaluru: In a big setback for Shri Shri Raghaveshwara Bharathi, present pontiff (Guru) of Shri Ramachandrapura Matt, Hosanagar in Shivamogga district, the state government has decided to form an inquiry committee on the various allegations levelled against him and appoint an administrative officer to the matt.

State Chief Secretary Subhash Chandra Khuntia has issued an order in this regard. This order has been issued based on a petition submitted by Edurkala Eshwar Bhat and Jaikrishna on April 30, 2016 to then chief secretary Aravind Jadhav against the pontiff and matt management. Based on the arguments and counter arguments put forth by both the factions in front of his office, Khuntia has issued this order.

As per the order, a three member committee headed by commissioner, Muzrai department, Government of Karnataka (GoK) will hold the inquiry as per the provisions of Endowment Act Mysuru state 1927. As per the order, this committee is also authorised to appoint an administrative officer to the matt.

In a petition submitted on April 30, 2016, petitioner Edurkala Eshwar Bhat Jaikrishna had requested the state government to appoint an administrative officer, preferably a retired High Court judge to the matt following various allegations that surfaced against the present seer including sexual abuse.