Bengaluru Yoga Guru Niranjana Murthy Arrested for Alleged Sexual Assault on Minor Student

Quick Summary

• Arrest and Charges: M. Niranjana Murthy, 55, founder of Sunshine The Yoga Zone and secretary-general of the Karnataka Yogasana sports Association, was arrested by RR Nagar police on September 17 for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor multiple times. He has been booked under POCSO Act and relevant sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

• Victim’s Allegations: The victim, now an adult, reported that Murthy sexually assaulted her in 2023 during a yoga competition trip to Thailand and again at his institute in subsequent years. She claims he leveraged promises of placements and awards for these assaults.

• Timeline:

– Victim knew Murthy as 2019 through KYSA activities.
– Participated in international competitions abroad starting from 2021.
– Filed police complaint on August 30; alleged assaults span from 2023 onward.

• Additional Facts:

– Investigations are ongoing to check if there are similar allegations from other students.
– Murthy is well-recognized wiht achievements including a Life Achievement award by the karnataka government.

Indian Opinion analysis

This case underscores the critical importance of stringent enforcement against sexual offences, particularly those involving minors. It highlights systemic concerns where individuals occupying positions of authority may misuse their influence over young aspirants seeking opportunities or mentorship. For India’s education system-sports or otherwise-to remain trustworthy spaces, emphasis must be placed on enabling safe environments through vigilant monitoring mechanisms within institutions.

The allegations against such an esteemed figure also prompt re-evaluation not only of background checks but also accountability procedures within state-level associations like KYSA to prevent abuse of power. This is significant considering how this case threatens public trust in leadership across both professional sports circuits and educational spaces focused on cultural disciplines like yoga.

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