Karnataka government launches manhunt for 'on tour' swami Nithyananda

Bangalore: The godman who claimed he could meditate and levitate is now on the run. The Karnataka government has launched a manhunt for self-styled swami Nithyananda after fresh allegations came to the fore of sexual abuse and rape. An inquiry by the regional commissioner has also begun.

Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda said, "We have ordered the police and the district administration to search the premises and take possession of the ashram property. We have asked the Home Department to see that the bail application is cancelled. Legal steps should be taken immediately. Nithyananda swamy should be arrested immediately."

However, how easy will be that? The godman has already got bail in the charges of abuse levelled against him two years back after a CD allegedly exposing his sexual exploits was leaked. There are no fresh FIRs filed against him. The government action has come merely because one witness in the case has gone public with the abuse she was allegedly subject to.

The victim said in a TV interview, "My trust was so deep... that since 2005, when I was first abused sexually... so many incidents happened that ordinary people would think is objectionable... like beating of brahmacharis... I was slapped with abuses... yet I accepted everything as the master's way to rid bad karma..."

Stray protests have broken out at the Nithyananda ashram after the victim's interview was aired. The ashram reacted by simply saying the scandal-hit godman was away on tour.

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