Karnataka pontiff fathers 9th child at 82

KALABURAGI: Peetadipathi of the Sharana Basaveshwara Samsthana in Kalaburagi, Sharanabasappa Appa had his ninth child, a boy from his wife last week, at the age of 82. He has five daughters from his first wife and three daughters from his second wife, who is 48 years old. Appa's nephew confirmed the news saying, “The baby was born in a hospital in Mumbai. We are happy.” The pontiff had longed for a son as he wanted a male heir to take over authority of the mutt which reportedly has properties worth Rs 100 Crore. The group is highly influential in Hyderabad and neighbouring states of Maharashtra and Telangana.