The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has summoned Tamil actor Ranjitha to appear before its investigating officials to give her statements pertaining to the alleged sex scandal involving her and Swami Nithyananda of Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam of Bidadi.
A notice was issued to the actor through her advocate on Monday and CID officials are anticipating her reply, Deputy Inspector-General of Police (CID) K.S.R. Charan Reddy told the presspersons here on Tuesday.
Her advocate had sought a copy of the first information report of the case, which had been duly sent along with the notice, Mr. Reddy said.
Meanwhile, the CID received an interim report from forensic experts on the CDs pertaining to the scandal. Around 30 items, including CDs and hard discs, were sent for analysis. The CID will get expert opinion on all the 30 by the next three weeks, he said.
The CID has submitted reports to the Union government pertaining to the godman's financial activities and the departments concerned may initiate action.
However Mr. Reddy ducked most questions saying “investigation is under progress”. Nithyananda is unlikely to be interrogated again in connection with the case, he said.
Meanwhile another officer, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Hindu : “At least 15 persons, including a few women, had contacted the CID officials and orally complained against the swami.” A few women alleged sexual abuse while a man, suffering from medical problems, alleged the swami swindled him of Rs. 50,000 after promising to cure him.
When several sessions at the ashram did not cure him, he alleged, Nithyananda asked him to get himself admitted in hospital.