Bengaluru police in RR Nagar have arrested a prominent yoga teacher and a key official with the State yoga sports association. The 55-year-old guru, M. Niranjana Murthy, is accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting a minor student under the guise of offering career advancements and international travel opportunities.
Murthy, who founded and directs “Sunshine The Yoga Zone” in RR Nagar, now faces serious charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine if other female students have experienced similar abuse.
The formal complaint, filed by the victim, led to Murthy’s arrest and booking under specific sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the POCSO Act, 2012, pertaining to sexual intercourse by deceitful means and sexual harassment.
The police launched their investigation on August 30, following the girl’s complaint. She was 17 years old at the time of the initial alleged offenses. She informed investigators that she first met Murthy in 2019, owing to his position as secretary-general of the Karnataka Yogasana Sports Association (KYSA). Her involvement in international yoga competitions began in 2021.
Her allegations detail a sexual assault during a competition trip to Thailand in 2023. Following this traumatic incident, she reportedly ceased participating in competitions and stopped attending the yoga center, as outlined in the First Information Report (FIR).
Despite this, she later rejoined “Sunshine The Yoga Zone” in 2024, where, according to the FIR, Murthy allegedly subjected her to further sexual harassment. She claims a sexual assault occurred in August 2025, with Murthy promising her a medal and a prestigious placement. Another attempted assault on August 22, again linked to promises of a State-level placement, ultimately led her to confide in her family and file the complaint, unable to endure the alleged torment any longer.
The accused is recognized within the yoga community, holding a PhD in the discipline and having led the national team on 12 occasions. He is also a recipient of several accolades, including a Life Achievement Award from the Government of Karnataka.