Harihara, May 14 -- A Zero FIR has been registered against Vachananand Swamiji of the Veerashaiva Panchamasali Lingayath Matha in Harihara, following allegations of sexual harassment involving minors.
The FIR was filed at Lakshmeshwar Police Station by a 40-year-old man concerning his 16-year-old son, who was a student at the Matha from 2021 to 2024.
According to the complaint, the victim alleged that the Swamiji subjected him and other minors to inappropriate acts, including forcing them to strip in the bathroom, touching their private parts, and compelling them to massage him while he was naked.
The victim further claimed that when minors resisted, they faced physical abuse, denial of food, and threats to keep silent.
Police officials...