Mallikarjun Mutya’s anticipatory bail application rejected

An anticipatory bail petition filed by Mallikarjun Mutya of Mahal Roja Mutt in a POCSO Act case was rejected by the Principal District and Sessions Court in Yadgir on Monday.

Public Prosecutor Gurulingappa Teli told The Hindu that Principal District and Sessions Judge H.J. Marulasiddaradhya rejected the bail petition on various grounds.

Mallikarjun Mutya heads the Mahal Roja Mutt in Shahapur taluk of Yadgir district and the case under POCSO Act was registered after a video of the Mutya behaving inappropriately with a minor went viral.

“While rejecting the bail petition, the court considered the argument that the accused is an influential person and that there are possibilities that he may influence the investigation and tamper with witnesses,” Mr. Teli said.

When contacted, Superintendent of Police Prutwik Shankar said that he will go through the court’s order after receiving it and take legal opinion for further steps.

The accused appeared before the investigating officer in Shahapur recently after notice was served on him.