DEVANAGARI: On Saturday, a man accused Lingayat seer Omkara Shivacharya Swami of Renukashrama in Avaragola of repeatedly abusing his wife sexually during the previous 1.5 years.

Chandrashekar from Shivamogga has alleged that his wife has been sexually exploited by the accused swamiji in the ashram. He insisted that he had been working to free his wife from the suspected swamiji's control. His wife has threatened to kill herself if anything is revealed.

He also made available an audio tape of his talk with the swami. Chandrashekar is heard pleading with Swami to give his wife back to him in the tape. He also admits to Swami that he has long since used his wife. He informs Swami that he has the tape as proof and that, if he wants to avoid difficulties, he should send her back.

Chandrashekar claimed that after three years of relationship, he married his girlfriend. But after five years, they were still unable to conceive children, so his wife began going to the doctor. Later, she made numerous trips to see the mutt. He claimed, "I caught them in the act during a festival.

The affair took a turn, though, when the wife spoke out and denied her husband's accusation. She asserted that her spouse has been extorting the swamiji for Rs. 30 lakh while intoxicated. She claimed that her spouse would do anything for money.

She claimed that Swamiji had saved her life after she had considered taking her own. "I challenge him to produce the video that he claims as evidence. Even I want to watch it. I could not bear the torture and abuse of my husband. My father has sold one acre of land and I have given all my gold to him," she said.

Our family follows the swamiji's instructions, therefore we have a special respect for him, she remarked. In connection with the incident, the woman also reported her husband to the police.

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