Karnataka HC Sees Plea to Overturn Acquittal of Seer in POCSO Case
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A shocking turn of events has unfolded in the case of Shivamurthy Muruga Sharan, a prominent Lingayat seer accused of sexual assault. Two girls at the center of the controversy have now filed a criminal appeal with the Karnataka High Court, seeking to overturn the Sessions Court's decision to acquit the accused. The appeal, submitted by lawyer D C Srinivas, claims that the Sessions Court's ruling disregarded crucial evidence and overlooked mandatory requirements of the POCSO Act of 2012. According to Srinivas, the Sessions judge 'ignored the legal framework and judicial precedents' in handling the case, leading to a deeply flawed acquittal under IPC Sections 376, 323, 504, and 506, as well as POCSO Sections 5, 6, and 17. The petitioners argue that the order dismissed key evidence, including medical reports and statements in the charge sheet, and lacked proper legal reasoning. The appeal emphasizes that the court had a responsibility to uphold justice for the minors who accused the seer of grave abuse. However, the verdict delivered undermined the purpose of the POCSO Act. If the appeal is admitted, the court will re-examine witness accounts, forensic reports, and procedural steps to determine whether a retrial or reversal of the acquittal is necessary.
