On 6 November 2026 Bengaluru police registered a case against Vasudeva Sadashivashrama Swamiji, the seer of Bale Kudru Math in Brahmavar taluk, and four associates, accusing them of stealing and selling centuries‑old idols.
The complaint, filed at Basaveshwaranagar Police Station, names Math administrator Anil Kumar Madhyastha, staff members Jayalakshmi and Shreyas, and shop owner Nagendra Prasad, who runs a shop called Idols in Basaveshwaranagar.
After the FIR was lodged, the seer, the administrator and the two staff members left the premises, leaving the Math locked since Wednesday night. Villagers and devotees gathered outside, demanding that daily rituals resume.
Disciple Pritam Adiga claimed that a person presenting himself as a sanyasi had lived in the Math for two years without acceptance by the local community. He also referred to circulating audio clips allegedly featuring the seer; supporters argue the recordings are AI‑generated fabrications.
According to the complaint, Vasudeva Sadashivashrama occupied the Math without proper authorization from 2024. The allegation states that four ancient idols – a Vallabha Ganapathi and a Shakti Ganapathi from the 6th‑7th centuries, a Lakshmi Narasimha from the Vijayanagara era, and a 12th‑century Mahishamardini Devi – were stolen in 2025 and sold to Nagendra Prasad. Replicas of these idols were reportedly placed back in the Math to deceive worshippers.
Pritam Adiga has asked for a thorough probe into the whereabouts of the original idols, the total number of historic idols in the Math, and any possible links to an international smuggling network. He urges authorities to pursue legal action against anyone found guilty.
Image for illustration purposes only
📰 Source: Mangalore Today