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M Niranjana Murthy, founder of Sunshine The Yoga Zone in Bengaluru, was arrested for sexually assaulting a 17-year-old student, promising her placements and foreign trips
The accused has led the national team 12 times. He has received a few awards, including the Life Achievement Award by the Government of Karnataka.
A 55-year-old Bengaluru-based yoga teacher has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a 17-year-old student several times while assuring her of placement and foreign trips, police said on Thursday.
According to The Hindu, the accused identified as M Niranjana Murthy, is the founder and director of Sunshine The Yoga Zone at RR Nagar.
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Police said Murthy has been booked, on the basis of a complaint by the girl, under Sections 69 (sexual intercourse by employing 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.
“He has been arrested. Further investigation is underway,” a senior police officer told Deccan Herald.
As per the case registered on the basis of the complaint filed on August 30, the girl had known Murthy since 2019 as he was the secretary-general of the Karnataka Yogasana Sports Association (KYSA). From 2021, she had been participating in international yoga competitions.
The girl claimed that in 2023 she went with Murthy to Thailand to participate in a competition. He sexually assaulted her at the time. She then quit participating in competitions and even stopped going to the yoga centre.
According to The Hindu, the girl joined Sunshine The Yoga Zone in 2024, run by the accused, and was again sexually harassed by Murthy in August 2025 after he promised her a medal and placement.
The girl alleged that Murthy again attempted to sexually assault her on August 22 by promising a State-level placement. Unable to bear the torture and harassment, the victim informed her family and filed a complaint.
The accused has led the national team 12 times. He has received a few awards, including the Life Achievement Award by the Government of Karnataka.
September 18, 2025, 18:33 IST
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