Members of the Koli-Kabbaliga Scheduled Tribes Horata Samiti and supporters of Mallikarjun Mutya staged a protest in Kalaburagi on Monday demanding withdrawal of the POCSO Act case against him. | Photo credit: ARUN KULKARNI
Members of the Koli-Kabbaliga Horata Samiti and followers of Mallikarjun Mutya of Mahal Roja Mutt in Shahapur taluk, Yadgir district staged a protest at Jagat circle in Kalaburagi on Monday, urging the authorities to withdraw the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act (POCSO) case registered against him.
The protest was led by the president of Koli-Kabbaliga Scheduled Tribes Horata Samiti Lachappa Jamadar.
Protesters claimed the fortune teller shared a father-like relationship with the girl seen in the video. They said the video was “cast in a negative light”.
They described the FIR as baseless and demanded its withdrawal, saying the child’s family had not lodged any formal complaint.
The agitators also warned of intensifying their agitation if their demands were not addressed. The demonstration, which lasted for several hours, blocked major connecting roads and disrupted vehicular movement.
Mallikarjun Mutya was booked on February 25 under Section 12 of the POCSO Act after a video showing him misbehaving with a minor girl went viral on social media.
The footage, which was allegedly taken on February 19, sparked public outrage and prompted intervention by child welfare authorities.
The Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) took suo motu cognizance of the matter and sought a report from the district officials, leading to an inquiry by the District Child Welfare Office.
The District Coordination Committee subsequently reviewed the case and recommended registration of an FIR.
Published – 02 March 2026 20:30 IST
