From plush environs to lock-up

Bangalore, April 21, DHNS:

Far from the sprawling acres at Bidadi, the gold-plated thrones, gold rudraksh-bead necklaces, soft-cushioned beds and the presence of female attendants, a 5 x 8 square feet lock-up awaits Nithyananda at the CID headquarters here.

The “sleaze godman,” who faces charges of rape, unnatural sex, cheating, criminal intimidation, criminal conspiracy and hurting the religious sentiments of Hindus, will be lodged in the lock-up which is being refurbished for him.

The toilet, with tiled floor, that he will share with four other arrested associates is being cleaned. The commode and wash basin are being tidied up and the bathroom fittings are being redone.

As soon as he is brought to Bangalore on Thursday, he will be produced at the Ramanagara court. If he is given police custody, Nithyananda will be driven straight to the CID headquarters and dumped into the lock-up. An adjoining second lock-up (also 5 x 8 square feet) is being cleaned up for lodging the godman’s four associates, one of them being Gopal Sheelum Reddy, alias Bhaktananda, the head of Nithyananda’s operations in the United States.

The lock-up has no television but is large enough to hold one person. It has a simple cot with a pillow.

Food, of course, will be provided by the CID. Next to this lock-up is the interrogation room where he will be grilled by a team of CID officers. The interrogation chamber has all modern equipment, including a one-way mirror from which officers will be able to monitor the proceedings inside. The chamber is also fitted with a CCTV camera.