The North East Women Police arrested a 45‑year‑old seer from the Maddavanapura Devaveera Samsthana Mutt on Monday, October 12, after a complaint alleging sexual exploitation and a broken promise of marriage. The arrest followed a complaint filed on October 8 by a 25‑year‑old woman who said she had been raised in the mutt’s household and attended its school and college.
According to the FIR, the accused, Guru Nanjeshwara Shivacharya Mahaswamy—also known as Dayananda—obtained the woman’s mobile number through family members after a 2023 trip to Mysuru and sent her photographs from the outing. Their communication escalated, and when she asked him to marry her, he allegedly rejected the proposal, abused her, and warned her not to disclose the relationship. He also threatened to kill her if she revealed the affair.
Police registered a case against the seer and his brother. Further investigation is expected to establish the circumstances and examine the allegations.
