Belthangady: Belthangady Court on Monday sentenced Somanath Nayak, Chairman of Guruvayanakere based NGO Nagarika Seva Trust for making false allegations against Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade, violating Court orders over the last two years.

The court in the past had ordered Somanath Nayak not to make any allegations against Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr Veerendra Heggade or his organizations. Somanath Nayak had published and distributed books on sensitive subjects with propaganda against Heggade and his educational institutes contravening court orders.

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.