The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Saturday filed a charge sheet against controversial godman Nithyananda alias Rajasekaran, who was embroiled in a sex scandal, and four of his disciples before the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate in Ramanagaram near here.
Superintendent of Police (CID) and the Investigation Officer (IO) K.N. Yogappa submitted the 430-page charge sheet against Nithyananda, Nithya Bhaktananda alias Gopala Seelam Reddy, Nithya Sachidananda alias Shiva Vallabhaneni, Nithya Sadananda alias Dhana Shekaran and Maa Sachidananda alias Ragini.
The charge sheet alleges that the godman had repeatedly raped one of his disciples in the Dhyanapeetham ashram at Bidadi and also in other places. “One woman witness, who appeared before the Investigating Officer during the course of investigation, alleged that she was repeatedly raped by Nithyananda not only at his ashram but in other parts of the country. Nithyananda allegedly deceived the victim by saying that if she subjected herself to his sexual demands she would achieve enlightenment and that sex with him would lead to moksha,” the charge sheet says.
The IO has seized several agreements signed between the devotees and ashram authorities taking their consent for participating in tantrik sex. The charge sheet says many such agreements were destroyed days before the incident came to light.
The IO subjected the video CD produced by the complainant at the time of lodging FIR for forensic analysis, the officials said. According to the charge sheet, ‘the video recording is genuine and that the image found in the video is conclusive of the presence of Nithyananda”.
The CID has received a report from the forensic experts in connection with the CDs, an officer on condition of anonymity, told The Hindu .
The charge sheet contains statements of 110 witnesses half of whom are overseas devotees. The charge sheet has 60 documents as annexures.
High Court
Meanwhile, the CID on Monday submitted to the Karnataka High Court that it had filed a charge sheet against Nityananda and four others before a Ramanagaram court.
Justice C.R. Kumaraswamy adjourned further hearing of the case to Wednesday.
