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Hans India
6 days ago
- Hans India
Bulldozers raze illegal ashram of arrested self-styled seer
Belagavi: In a swift and decisive action, the Raibag taluk administration in Belagavi district demolished the illegal ashram of self-proclaimed godman Hata yogi Lokeshwar Swami following his arrest on charges of kidnapping and raping a minor girl. The demolition was carried out in the early hours of Friday morning under tight security. The controversial ashram, referred to as the 'Ram Mandir Mutt', was constructed illegally on Survey No. 225 in Mekhli village, where Swami had encroached on eight acres of gomala (grazing) land belonging to the government. Complaints regarding the illegal occupation had surfaced earlier, prompting an official inquiry. Based on the findings, the Raibag Tehsildar issued a notice last week instructing the Swami to vacate the encroached land. However, with Lokeshwar Swami being remanded to judicial custody following his arrest, the administration moved swiftly to carry out the demolition. The operation, conducted before dawn, was led by Tehsildar Suresh Munje and involved three JCB machines (bulldozers) that razed the entire mutt structure, including the associated temple complex. Officials confirmed that the entire unauthorized construction was demolished without resistance, and the land has been reclaimed by the government. Lokeshwar Swami, who had been projecting himself as a religious guru for nearly a decade, was arrested on serious charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. He is accused of kidnapping and raping a minor girl, a case that has sent shockwaves through the region.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Mutt demolished in Raibag after seer's arrest in Pocso case
(Pic for representation only) Belagavi: The Raibag taluk administration on Thursday demolished the Ram Mandir Mutt in Mekhali village following the arrest of its seer, Lokeshwar Swami, who was jailed under the Pocso Act for allegedly raping a minor girl. Using earthmovers, the authorities razed the structure, which was reportedly built on eight acres of encroached gram panchayat land under Survey No. 225. Taluk officials stated that the mutt was constructed around seven years ago without proper permissions and in violation of land regulations. In a startling revelation, officials said that certain local public representatives allegedly sanctioned funds for the illegal construction. However, despite political pressure, the administration went ahead with the demolition. The mutt was already vandalised by angry villagers on the day of the seer's arrest. Locals stormed the premises and damaged the property in protest against the alleged crime. The administration clarified that the action was taken strictly as per legal procedures concerning land encroachment.
Hindustan Times
25-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Head of Math in Karnataka's Belagavi arrested for allegedly raping a minor girl
On Saturday, authorities in Karnataka's Belagavi announced the arrest of Hathayogi Lokeshwar Swami, a 30-year-old head of Ram Mandir Math in Mekali village, Raibag taluk, following allegations of kidnapping and repeatedly raping a 17-year-old girl. Also Read - Bengaluru villa horror: Tenants harassed, locked out, threatened with false cases The arrest took place on Thursday after the minor lodged a complaint detailing the horrific ordeal that began on May 13. According to the police, the victim was brought to the Math by her family, who had been advised by relatives that the swami could heal her illness and resolve her troubles through spiritual means. In her statement, the girl revealed that on May 13, while she was returning home from a relative's place, the accused offered her a ride, only to abduct her instead. She alleged that over the next two days, from May 13 to May 15, Lokeshwar Swami raped her multiple times in lodges located in Raichur and Bagalkot. After the assaults, he reportedly abandoned her at the Mahalingpur bus stand, threatening to kill her if she spoke about the incident to anyone, a senior officer disclosed. The crime came to light a few days later when the traumatized girl confided in her father, who urged her to report the matter to the authorities. Also Read - Zepto delivery agent assaults customer in Bengaluru after address dispute, case registered Following her complaint, a case was filed under the relevant provisions of the Protection of Children Against Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, leading to the swami's arrest on Thursday, the police confirmed. More details will be revealed after the primary investigation. In a similar incident earlier, chief pontiff of Murugha Math Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru, faced charges of sexual abuse of minor girls in his Math located in the state. He was later released on the bail.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Time of India
Police arrested a seer in rape case of a minor
Belagavi: Police arrested Lokeshwar Swami, 30, of Ram Mandir Mutt in Mekhali village of Raibag taluk on Friday in a Pocso case. On May 13, Lokeshwar Swami allegedly took the girl in his car while she was returning home. He threatened to kill her if she made a fuss and took her to various places, including Bagalkot and Raichur, and sexually assaulted her. On May 16, he left her at the bus stand in Mahalingpur city of the Bagalkot district. According to Mudalagi police, the girl's father filed a complaint at Bagalkot Women's police station on May 21. Bagalkot Women's police station officer transferred the case to Mudalagi police station as the abduction area falls under its jurisdiction. The accused was arrested by Mudalagi police. Lokeshwar Shabanna Bhangi, a resident of Chittapur in Kalaburagi district, established a Ram Mandir Mutt on 10 acres of govt land in Mekhali village in Raibag taluk 4 years ago. The officials of the taluk administration said that the Ram Mandir Mutt, which was illegally constructed on govt land in Mekhali village, was brought to the notice of the deputy commissioner. The Mekhali villagers informed that the seer also built a Krishna Mutt in Hanjanatti village in Chikodi taluk.
