Bengaluru: The petition filed by the victim seeking transfer of the rape case against Ramachandrapura Mutt seer Raghaveshwara Bharati to another trial judge had been dismissed by the High Court on Thursday.

The bench, in its order, said there is no good ground made out to transfer the case and moreover, the annual general transfer of judicial officers was fast approaching. However, the bench has directed the presiding officer to hear the plea with regard to cancellation of bail within one month.

Justice Pradeep D Waingankar, dismissed the petition and said that the prosecution, who is the master of the case, has no grievance against the presiding officer (judge) and merely because the petitioner is asking for the transfer of the case, it cannot be granted.

The victim, a female singer in her petition had stated that hat no fair and impartial inquiry or trial would be conducted as the sessions judge had openly made comments in the open court on February 6 that he would not subject the seer to any medical test.

The petition said that the law is well settled that cases of atrocities on women shall, as far as practicable, be tried by a woman presiding officer.

“Strangely, it is found that though there were several woman presiding officers in Bengaluru, the present learned sessions judge was notified to try the cases of atrocities of women,” she stated in her petition.