BANGALORE: Karnataka High Court on Friday permitted the rape-accused Lingayat seer Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru, who us currently under judicial custody, to sign cheques.

The order was issued by a court panel presided over by Justice Nagaprasanna since thousands of mutt employees have been having trouble receiving their salaries ever since the accused seer was taken into custody.

It had previously turned down the proposal to let the accused seer sign checks. The petition was filed to the bench to  to plead permission to sign cheques.

On October 3, 6, and 10, the bench granted the accused seer permission to sign his checks. The district commissioner's approval is required before anyone can collect signatures.

It said that the investigating officer and jail superintendent had to be present throughout the signing procedure and had to give the investigating court photocopies of the checks.

The bench instructed the attorney to make plans for the transfer of the power of attorney of signing to another person and submit a petition to the local court in this regard, emphasising that the court order is only relevant for October.
The bench said that the court might hear the petition and order in accordance with the law. Sharanaru is the only trustee of the mutt, as perpetition. To release the salaries of the employees, he must sign 200 checks.

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