Police question Vachanananda Swami in Pocso case

Davanagere: On Thursday in Harihar, Vachanananda Swamiji, former head of the Veerashaiva Lingayat Panchamasali Guru Peetha, appeared before police for questioning in a Pocso case involving allegations of sexual assault on a boy who had been staying at the mutt.He reached the Harihar Rural police station at 9 am in a devotee’s car, and was interrogated by a team led by DSP BS Basavaraj until about 2.45 pm. The case was originally registered at the Lakshmeshwar police station and later transferred to the Harihar Rural police station for further investigation. Police earlier issued a notice directing the seer to appear for questioning.After the interrogation ended, his statement was officially recorded by investigators. Following instructions from police, he was then taken to the taluk public hospital, where he underwent medical procedures typically conducted in Pocso investigations.Before leaving, he briefly told reporters, “I respect the law; I abide by the law,” and later returned to the mutt in a private vehicle.Superintendent of police HT Shekhar said that the seer was not arrested because he had obtained anticipatory bail. He confirmed that the statement was recorded, the medical examination was completed, and that the investigation would continue with further collection of evidence.At the hospital, doctors collected samples required for a virility test. Medical expert Dr Raghavendra Durgoji said blood, nail and hair samples were taken, along with the clothes the swamiji was wearing, including undergarments. These materials will be sent to a forensic laboratory for analysis. Doctors also conducted tests related to sexual potency and examined his general health, including blood pressure and pulse. “The suspect’s mental condition and age verification will also be assessed, and that final medical opinion will depend on forensic findings. Because several years passed since the alleged incident, securing direct medical evidence now would be difficult,” he added.