Karnataka : Government raids, takes over Sosale mutt

The action follows allegations that pontiff Vidyamanohara Theertha Swami misused mutt properties for personal needs. A team of six officials attached to the muzrai department from Bangalore descended on the Sosale Mutt at Krishnamurthypuram and seized all the documents in the seer’s custody. The officers later sealed all the doors of the mutt and also the seer’s residence. Similar procedures were carried out in the branches of the mutt at Srirangapatna and Mandya, sources said.

Mysore muzrai department tahsildar Yathiraju told TOI that based on the allegations that the seer misused the valuables, money and property of the mutt for his personal benefits, the government decided to take control of the mutt. He said outgoing additional chief secretary K Jairaj has been appointed the administrator for the mutt that has 58 branches across the state.

Yathiraju said the pontiff was not in the mutt when it was raided. The staff told the sleuths that he was on a religious tour. Despite the seizure, he said all the religious activities will continue at the mutt under the supervision of Jairaj.

Background

In December 2011 a cheating case was booked against Seer Vidyamanohara Theertha Swamiji, his mother Srimathi and Mutt’s administrative officer B R Nataraj Jois at Lakshmipuram police station for allegedly pledging properties of the mutt with a city based financer. The complaint against trio was made by G V Krishna and D R Narendra, members of Vysaraja Seva Samithi, a body of muttas devotees. Case was booked under section 406, 408, and 420 of IPC.

About mutt

Sosale Vysaraja mutt is famous for spiritiual- Madhwa Sampradaya(tradition) among Brahmins and is head quarters of Sri Vyasaraja Mutt. Sri Vyasatirtha,the Madhwa saint and a great scholar chose this place for his Mutt under the shade of a Banyan tree and close to the Cauvery river. It is also famous for learned seers born here and for gifted musicians and many writers. Sosale is located on the left bank of the Cauvery River near its confluence with Kabini River, about 3 km away from Agastheswara Temple at Tirumakudlu(T) Narasipur.

Source : TOI