Bangalore: Controversial self-styled godman
Nityananda and four of his associates have been accused of
rape and unnatural sex in a charge sheet filed by CID in a
court near here.
The 430-page charge sheet filed before Ramanagara Chief
Judicial Magistrate on November 27 has named Nityananda, Nitya
Bhaktananda, Nithya Sachidananda, Nithya Sachidananda and Maa
Sachidananda alias Ragini on the basis of two FIRs filed
against them, a CID statement said here on Monday.
While charges under IPC Sections 376 (Rape), 377
(Unnatural sex), 417 (Cheating) 506 (Criminal Intimidation)
and 120 B (Criminal Conspiracy) have been made out against
Nityananda, Nithya Bhaktananda has been booked under IPC
Section 212 (Harbouring an offender) and 120 (B).
Nityananda, who ran an ashram at Bidadi in the city
outskirts, was mired in a controversy and had absconded after
a purported video footage of him in a compromising position
with an actress was aired on local Tamil channels. He was
arrested in Himachal Pradesh on April 21.
The charge sheet was filed by CID officer K N Yogappa,
who investigated the complaint by two former disciples K Lenin
of Chennai and T N Vishwanath after examining 101 witnesses in
India and abroad and collecting more than 60 documents, it
said.
Nitya Sachidananda, Nitya Sadananda and Maa Sachidananda
have also been accused of assisting Nityananda in committing
rape and unnatural sex.
Nityananda and Nitya Bhaktananda, who were arrested from
Himachal Pradesh have been enlarged on bail, while Nitya
Sachidananda arrested recently is now in judicial custody. Maa
Sachidanand and Nithya Sadananda have not been arrested.
During investigation, a woman witness, whose identity was
kept confidential, appeared before the Investigating Officer
and deposed that she was repeatedly raped by Nithyananda, not
only at his Bidadi ashram but in other parts of the country as
well, the CID said.
Nityananda allegedly deceived the victim by stating she
would achieve enlightenment if she subjected herself to his
sexual demands and it would lead to the path of `moksha`
(salvation).
During investigation, a number of agreements signed
between devotees and ashram authorities taking consent of
devotees for taking part in `tantrik sex` were also seized.
Many more such agreements were destroyed a few days before the
case came to light, the CID said.
The video CD produced by the complainant while lodging
the FIR was sent for forensic analysis, which confirmed the
recording was genuine and the image was that of Nityananda.
Meanwhile hearing on the criminal petition filed by
Nityananda seeking quashing of two FIRs was today adjourned by
the High Court to December 1.
PTI
