Unicaus NEWS
The complainant was 17 on the time of the alleged offence. | Photo Credit: Illustration by Satheesh Vellinezhi
The accused, M. Niranjana Murthy, 55, is the founder and director of Sunshine The Yoga Zone at RR Nagar. He was booked beneath the POCSO Act. Further investigations are on to establish whether or not there are related complaints from different girls college students .
Based on the grievance by the lady, Murthy was booked beneath Sections 69 (sexual activity by using deceitful means) and 75(2) (sexual harassment) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and Section 12 (punishment for sexual harassment) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
According to the police, the investigation was initiated on August 30 when the lady filed a grievance. She was 17 when the alleged offence occurred. She instructed the police that she had recognized Murthy since 2019, as he was the secretary-general of the Karnataka Yogasana Sports Association (KYSA). From 2021, she has been taking part in yoga competitions overseas.
She alleged that, in 2023, she went with Murthy to take part in a single such competitors in Thailand the place he sexually assaulted her. She subsequently stop taking part in competitions and stopped going to the yoga centre, in response to the FIR.
She alleged that she joined Sunshine The Yoga Zone in 2024, run by the accused, and was but once more sexually harassed by Murthy. According to the FIR, she was allegedly sexually assaulted by Murthy in August 2025 on the institute after he promised her a medal and placement. She alleged that Murthy but once more tried to sexually assault her on August 22 by promising a State-level placement. Unable to bear the torture and harassment, the sufferer knowledgeable her household and filed a grievance.
The accused is a well known individual within the yoga subject and has a PhD in yoga. He led the nationwide staff 12 instances. He has acquired a number of awards, together with the Life Achievement Award by the Government of Karnataka.
Published – September 18, 2025 02:32 pm IST
