Yadgir: Police in Karnataka have filed criminal charges under the POCSO Act against a 26-year-old self-styled godman after a viral video allegedly showing him inappropriately touching a child sparked widespread public condemnation.

The suspect, identified as Mallikarjuna Muthya of Shahpur, was booked after the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights took independent cognisance of the footage. The commission has formally petitioned the Yadgir Superintendent of Police to launch a comprehensive investigation and submit a detailed report.

The recording purportedly depicts Muthya holding a 7-year-old girl in his lap, touching and kissing her while her parents were present. Authorities observed that the minor appeared visibly distressed in the footage.

Parental Statements and Police Action

Despite the explicit nature of the allegations, the child’s parents have reportedly defended the godman’s actions during initial questioning.

"Based on a complaint given to us by the Child Development Project Officer yesterday (February 25), we have registered a case under relevant sections of the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act. We have recorded the statements of the girl and her parents, who claimed they did not find his actions inappropriate or felt it was a bad touch," a senior police official stated on Thursday.

Ongoing Investigation

Police have issued an official notice to Muthya as part of the legal proceedings. Investigators are currently reviewing the digital evidence and conducting further interviews to determine the context of the incident and whether other minors were involved.

With inputs from PTI