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Artistes rally behind seer

Last Updated 20 October 2014, 18:56 IST

Artistes who were part of Rama Katha, a song and drama programme organised by Ramachandrapura Mutt on Monday, said the allegations levelled against Raghaveshwara Bharathi seer were baseless.

The artistes, including Pandit Parameshwar Hegde, Shashidhar Kote, Neernalli Ganapati, said the allegations were aimed at tarnishing the image of the pontiff.

“Rama Katha programme was staged across the country in the last four years. Even we have received Rama Prasadam from the pontiff. The allegations have embarrassed all of us. All the artistes used to discuss the play with the pontiff but none of us, including other female artistes, ever faced any harassment during the shows,” Hegade said.

The victim was the lead singer in the Rama Katha and she lodged the complaint with “bad intentions”, the artistes said, adding there were calls from the victim’s side asking them to give statements against the pontiff.

Victim appears before CID
Meanwhile, the victim in the rape case appeared before the investigating officer (IO). CID officials had taken her statement.

She was again questioned based on the statement given by the pontiff last week. Sources said the victim appeared before the IO around 8.30 am and left the CID office after two hours of questioning.

Later in the day, Raghaveshwara pontiff was also questioned at the CID office. Sources said the CID officials will subject the seer to medical  examination.
However, the seer has learnt to have refused to undergo medical test.

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(Published 20 October 2014, 18:56 IST)

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