Belthangady: In a major setback to the Guruvayanakere based NGO Nagarika Seva Trust, its Chairman K Somnath Nayak has been sentenced to imprisonment for making false allegations against Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade, violating Court orders over the last two years.

The Additional Court of Belthangady has passed this order on Monday, August 28.

It is said that Nayak had been campaigning against Dr Heggade and various organisations led by him, much in violation of the Court order that directed him to restrain from making allegations against the Dharmadhikari and the organisations, institutions led by him.

Following this, a contempt of Court case was lodged by Dharmasthala organisation against Nayak. After hearing the case, the Court held Nayak guilty and sentenced him to three months of imprisonment. He has been asked to pay a compensation of Rs 4.93 lac, failing which his property can be seized by the Court and sold through auction. The balance of the auction money, after deducting the compensation is to be deposited with the court.

The court has asked to convey the orders to concerned Tahasildar. Advocates N D Rathnavarma Bunnu and Badarinath Sampigathaya argued for Dharmasthala.