Karnataka govt orders probe against Nithyananda

Bangalore: The government has ordered a probe into the allegations of misdeeds by self-styled godman Nithyananda. The Karnataka government has also ordered to seize and search Nithyananda's ashram property.

The Karnataka home department will take legal steps to cancel his bail. The police will also issue a manhunt for Nithyananda after complaints of rape and sexual abuse by some devotees.

Last week, clashes broke out between the activists of a Kannada organisation protesting against Nithyananda and his disciples at his ashram. The protests broke out in the backdrop of recent allegations by a US-based woman that she was sexually abused by him for five years, a charge denied by him.

The police will also issue a manhunt for Nithyananda after complaints of rape and sexual abuse by some devotees.

Earlier, the police had registered two cases against Nithyananda and others in connection with an altercation between his followers and a section of media during a press conference at his ashram on June 7.

Nithyananda is already facing criminal charges, including rape, after a slew of complaints were filed against him in 2010 after some local TV channels telecast purported videos of the self-styled godman in a compromising position with an actress.

Meanwhile, protests against Nithyananda were held in several places across the state. The agitators, who burnt an effigy of Nithyananda, also demanded a thorough probe into the various sexual assault cases that have been filed against him so far.

Similar protests by pro-Kannada organisations were held in Davanagere, Mysore and Bellary.

In Bellary, agitators burnt an effigy of Nithyananda and submitted a memorandum to District Commissioner Amlan Biswas.

(With additional information from PTI)

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