Spiritual guru touched young girl’s genitals during yoga class

A yoga instructor has pleaded guilty to sexually touching a young girl during his class in Tarneit.

A yoga teacher has confessed to touching a young girl’s genitals during a class in Melbourne’s west.

Spiritual guru Chandra Bhoga pleaded guilty to two counts of intentionally sexually touching a child under the age of 16 in the County Court of Victoria on Friday.

The Herald Sun can reveal the assaults took place during a yoga practice in Tarneit in 2018.

Bhoga pleaded guilty to twice touching the child’s vagina and touching her breasts three times.

Judge Higham told Bhoga the offending was serious but that he would be favoured during sentencing for his guilty plea.

“Offending against children is viewed seriously in the court but the court recognises a significant credit to those who plead guilty,” he said.

Bhoga works as a Melbourne based data analytics specialist when he is not instructing tantric or ashtanga yoga.

The self-confessed Bollywood singer took to social media last August to celebrate Krishna Janmashtami, an annual Hindu festival.

After the performance he instructed his followers to “be safe in yoga”.

“Have a beautiful life, stay strong and stay safe during coronavirus,” he said.

“It has come and it will go away. It’s only a matter of trying to be safe in yoga, in yourself.”

Bhoga shares many spiritual thoughts on social media, including Buddha and Lao Tzu quotes.

He studied at the University of Madras in India and worked as an analytics consultant at RXP Group, according to his LinkedIn.

Bhoga’s bail was extended until his next court appearance on July 15.

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