Bengaluru Yoga guru arrested for sexually assaulting minor, lured her with medal at national-level yoga competition

A yoga trainer in Bengaluru was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting of a minor girl. The accused, Niranjana Murthy, has been running a yoga centre in Rajarajeshwari Nagar for several years and is also secretary of the Karnataka Yogasana Sports Association (KYSA). The complainant told police that she has known Murthy since 2019. She began taking part in yoga competitions in 2021 and, in 2023, travelled with him to Thailand for an event. At that time, she was 17 years old.  He was arrested by Rajarajeshwari Nagar (RR Nagar) police in Bengaluru’s West division.

“During this trip, Niranjana Murthy allegedly sexually harassed her. After this incident, the complainant stopped participating in yoga competitions,” police said. The girl later rejoined yoga training in 2024 at the Sunshine Institute, also run by Murthy. She alleged that from then on, he continued to harass her.

According to her complaint, in August 2025 Murthy lured her with promises of winning a medal at the national-level yoga competition and securing a placement, and had physical contact with her.

On August 22, Murthy allegedly made another attempt to harass the girl, this time by claiming he could arrange a state-level placement for her, police said.

Following her complaint, a case was filed under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Sections 69 and 75(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). After the case was registered, Murthy went into hiding. Police launched an intensive search and eventually arrested him. Officials confirmed that the investigation is still in progress.

According to the Sunshine The Yoga Zone website, Murthy holds a PhD in Yoga and has represented India(BHARAT) as the captain of the national team 12 times. The website also mentions that he has received several honors, including the Life Achievement Award from the Government of Karnataka.