Cold reception for Swami Nithyananda at Puttaparthi

Mid-Day.com, Updated: April 27, 2011 14:37 IST

 

Bangalore: 
While politicians, celebrities and other prominent figures flocked to Puttaparthi to pay their last respects to the late Sathya Sai Baba, the presence of Swami Nithyananda at the ashram raised quite a few eyebrows.

Nithyananda's dazed devotees and Sathya Sai Baba's family members alike.

Throughout the time he was there, he appeared to be embarrassed as devotees and Sathya Sai Baba's family members made it clear that he was not welcome.

With the negative publicity the self-proclaimed godman has garnered over the past one year, it comes as no surprise that he was not allowed inside immediately.

Onlookers gaped when the Baba's family members ignored his presence and later made efforts to see to it that he wasn't allowed into Sai Kulwanth Hall through the VVIP entrance.

"It seemed like Baba's family members and the security guards at the VVIP entrance were not at all prepared for something like this," said a guest who was seated with the family members near Baba's mortal remains.

While Swami Nithyananda patiently waited at the VVIP entrance with one of his disciples, Baba's family members had a quick word with the other guests and decided to allow him to enter from the common gate

He added, "Nithyananda looked a bit embarrassed, as he stood at the entrance for quite some time with a garland in his hand, but his presence wasn't even acknowledged."

While Nithyananda patiently waited at the entrance with one of his disciples, the family members had a quick word with the other VVIPs seated there, including Major Industries Minister Geetha Reddy, and decided to allow him to enter.

However, they decided against allowing him through the VVIP entrance, and he was observed entering through the common gate and reached the glass casket where Baba's mortal remains were laid.

Another guest who observed the entire incident and was within earshot of the conversation said, "He even pleaded with the family members to allow him to enter through the VVIP entrance, but they did not agree."

Miffed at the whole incident, he still managed to flaunt a broad smile while standing in the queue, albeit a shorter one.

Upon reaching the casket, he bowed down his head and offered prayers. However, the drama intensified when he placed the huge garland around the glass casket, and the crowd around glared and let out a collective sigh.

Even the volunteers from the Sathya Sai trust stopped urging the crowds to move faster and looked at the drama that was unfolding bit by bit.

Trying to escape the constant stares from everyone, Nithyananda quickly moved behind the life size photo of Baba, which is placed next to the casket, and attempted to exit from the hall through the VIP entrance.

Sadly for him, he was once again stopped and told to take the route that other devotees were taking.

A frowning Nithyananda made a swift exit. Although he did not stay for long, his brief visit became the most talked about incident for the rest of the day.

Source: NDTV, Mid Day News

Women devotees object to Nithyananda’s presence

Puttaparthi, April 26, DHNS:

Controversy-ridden Nithyananda, whose visit to Puttaparthi was resented by many devotees of Sai Baba, negotiated for long before being allowed entry on Tuesday to the place of 'dharshanam' in Prashanthi Nilayam here.

Nithyananda, who walked into Prashanthi Nilayam with VHP chief Ashok Singhal through the VIP gate along with two of his devotees, was stopped by the Sathya Sai Seva Dal volunteers. He tried convincing the volunteers but in vain. He was sent further behind even as Singhal walked towards the area where Sai Baba’s body lay.  Police sources said several women who saw him arrive at the Kulwant Hall venue, objected to his presence. This resulted in some commotion and the superintendent of police was alerted. Nithyananda was finally directed away from the place where Baba’s body lay, but an  elderly Seva Dal devotee intervened and allowed him to enter for dharshan. His decision to pay homage to Sai Baba was an attempt to make himself seen, especially after his bail conditions were relaxed. The other two Nithyananda followers were Shiva Vallabhaneni, alias Sachitananda, and T Dhanasekaran, alias Sadhananda. Source: Deccan Herald

US judge allows fraud charges against Nithyananda entity

Chandan Nandy, Bangalore, April 22, DHNS :

In a major blow to Nithyananda and his so-called spiritual activities in the United States, an American court has allowed prosecution against one of his non-profit organisations and two of its directors for fraud under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations (RICO) Act.

Besides, San Bernadino Superior Court judge David A Williams permitted charges to be framed against Nithyananda Foundation for unfair business practices.
It also allowed the plaintiffs -- some non-resident Indians who were devotees of Nithyananda -- to claim not just punitive damages which could be in millions but also their attorneys’ fees from all the defendants.

The US judge’s directive of April 21 came after he heard the arguments of the lawyers of both the plaintiffs and the respondents.
It follows the NRIs’ case filed in the San Bernadino Superior Court in California where they invoked RICO which is normally employed to proceed against the mafia.

The two directors of Oklahoma-based Nithyananda Foundation against whom the criminal case was filed are Siva Vallabhaneni, alias Sachitananda and D Jamunarani, alias Ma Sadananda, who is in India.

Deccan Herald had earlier reported that under RICO, a person who is a member of an enterprise that has committed any two of 35 crimes — 27 federal crimes and eight state crimes — within a 10-year period can be charged with racketeering.

When the matter goes for trial, the plaintiffs, who had donated very large sums of money to Nithyananda and his several organisations, including the Nithyananda Foundation, could claim their money and also press for punitive damages.

During the course of the hearing on April 21, the NRIs’ attorneys submitted before Judge Williams that Nithyananda faced a criminal case in Karnataka.

When the lawyers for Nithyananda Foundation tried to defend Nithyananda by claiming that he was a private individual and not linked to the organisation, Judge Williams, according to sources present in the court, said: “This matter is in the public interest. I
know and have read the details. You do not need to explain.”

The matter will come up for further hearing on Thursday when the lawyers for the two sides will make submissions on some other issues raised in the NRIs’ petition.

Source: Deccan Herald

Police want Nithyananda, aide's bail cancelled

Bangalore, Apr 19 (PTI)

Police have pleaded before the Karnataka High Court to cancel the bail of self-styled godman Nithyananda and his aide who are facing criminal cases, for allegedly violating the terms of the bail.


"On April 15 we filed an application before the High Court seeking cancellation of Nithyananda's bail as he has violated the bail condition imposed on him", Investigating officer in the case, Ramalingappa told PTI.

Police also sought cancellation of bail of Nityananda's associate, Seelam Gopala Reddy alias Basavananda who was nabbed along with him. The godman is facing charges of rape and intimidation.

They have charged Nityananda with intimidating witnesses indirectly through his followers and also of not cooperating with them for further investigation.

Nityananda was arrested along with Basavananda on April 21 2010 from Solan in Himachal Pradesh. He was granted bail on June 11, 2010 by the Karnataka High Court. He landed in controversy after a video footage showing him in a compromising position with an actress was telecast by local TV channels in March last year.

CID wants Nithyananda bail cancelled

Petition to High Court says main witnesses in case against Swami are being intimidated

Hemanth Kashyap

Posted On Monday, April 18, 2011

The state CID has petitioned the High Court to cancel the bail granted to Swami Nithyananda on the grounds that the main witnesses in the case are being intimidated. The Swami faces charges of rape and unnatural sex. The matter will be heard on Tuesday.

In its petition, the CID has accused the Swami and his followers of intimidating a Los Angeles-based NRI who is the main witness in the case. CID officials had provided particulars to the court in a sealed cover. According to the CID, some people at the behest of the Swami (Life Bliss Foundation of Nithyananda) have filed a false case against the NRI in the US courts.

They are asking the witness to turn hostile in the case against Nithyananda in return for the withdrawal of the case against the witness, the CID petition says.

The petition also refers to attempts to intimidate Lenin Karuppan, the man behind the controversial video clips of the Swami. The High Court has quashed a case against Lenin.

Meanwhile, Nithyananda’s lawyer is seeking a relaxation of his bail conditions, including strictures on his movements beyond Bidadi and directing him to vist the Bidadi police station every month.

Source: Mirror

Strange but interesting?!

In a bizarre development over the past few weeks, Nithyananda manages to get a bail relaxation petition approved!! Lets take a closer look:

• Nithyananda’s advocates file a petition to relax his bail on 28^th Mar with the Court.
• This petition, would normally get assigned a date when it comes up for hearing. Accordingly it would get listed in the cause list of a specific court hall for that date. But until 8th Apr, this petition doesnt have a hearing date set.
• On 8^th Apr, the case has been heard and disposed!!!! Important point to be noted: it is NOT listed under the 'daily cause list' in any court hall for 8^th Apr!!

These facts can be verified from the case status information that is publicly available!!

Here is are the questions that stand out:

1. Why was there no official hearing date assigned to this petition until it was disposed?
2. Why was the case disposed on 8^th Apr even though it was not scheduled for that day?
3. So what exactly happened????

Examine the facts for yourself!

Court summons against Lenin quashed

Last Updated : 01 Apr 2011 12:17:11 PM IST


BANGALORE: The High Court has quashed the summons issued against Lenin Karuppan, former driver of the selfstyled godman Paramahamsa Nithyananda, by JMFC Court Ramanagar following a complaint by Anjula Jackson, a foreign devotee of the tainted seer.

Lenin had moved the court challenging the JMFC Court's issue of summons. Anjula, lodging a complaint with Ramanagar police, had alleged that he had violated Nithyananda's privacy, trespassed the living quarters of the selfstyled godman besides defamed the 'seer'. Later, the case was refereed to Bidadi police station.

The petitioner submitted that allegations made by the complainant did not satisfy the ingredients of the offence alleged against him. Taking cognizance of such a complaint and issuance of summons was bad in law and without application of mind by the Judge.

He also contended that the complaint was vexatious and an act of vengeance and as a consequence, following the complaint lodged by him against Nithyananda proceedings and sought to quash the complaint.

Hearing the petition Justice K V Keshavanarayana disposing off the petition filed by Lenin, directed the magistrate to consider the complaint afresh and quashed the order dated August 28, 2010 and the cognizance taken on October 30, 2010.

http://expressbuzz.com/cities/bangalore/court-summons-against-lenin-quashed/261482.html

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லெனின் கருப்பனுக்கு சம்மன்: உயர்நீதிமன்றம் தடை

பெங்களூர், மார்ச் 31: நித்யானந்தாவின் முன்னாள் சீடர் லெனின் கருப்பனுக்கு கீழ்நீதிமன்றம் அனுப்பிய சம்மனை நிறுத்தி வைத்து உயர்நீதிமன்றம் உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளது.

நித்யானந்தாவின் பெண் சீடரான அமெரிக்காவை சேர்ந்த அஞ்சுளா ஜாக்சன், லெனின் கருப்பனுக்கு எதிராக 2010 ஆகஸ்ட் 28-ம் தேதி ராமநகரம் மாவட்ட நீதிமன்றத்தில் வழக்கு தொடர்ந்திருந்தார்.

 அதில், இந்திய தண்டனை சட்டத்துக்கு எதிராகப் பல்வேறு குற்றங்கள் இழைத்து நித்யானந்தாவுக்கு எதிரான வீடியோவை லெனின் கருப்பன் தயாரித்துள்ளதாக தெரிவித்துள்ளார். மேலும், இந்திய சட்டம், தகவல் தொழில்நுட்ப விதிகளுக்கு எதிராக செயல்பட்டு, தனி நபர் சுதந்திரத்தில் அத்துமீறி நுழைந்துள்ளதாகப் புகாரில் அவர் தெரிவித்துள்ளார்.

இதை விசாரித்த மாவட்ட நீதிமன்றம், லெனின் கருப்பனை நீதிமன்றத்தில் ஆஜராகும்படி சம்மன் அனுப்பியது. இதற்கு லெனின் கருப்பன் ஜனவரி 13-ல் உயர்நீதிமன்றத்தில் இடைக்காலத் தடை பெற்றார்.

இந்தத் தடையை நீக்குவதற்காக அஞ்சுளா ஜாக்சன், உயர்நீதிமன்றத்தில் மனுதாக்கல் செய்திருந்தார். இதை வியாழக்கிழமை விசாரித்த நீதிபதி கே.என்.கேசவநாராயணா, ராமநகரம் மாவட்ட நீதிமன்றத்தில் லெனின் கருப்பனுக்கு பிறப்பித்த சம்மனை நிறுத்தி வைத்து உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளார். மேலும், சம்மன் உத்தரவை மறுபரிசீலனை செய்யுமாறும், சட்டத்துக்கு உட்பட்டு ஆணை பிறப்பிக்குமாறும் தெரிவித்துள்ளார்.

http://www.dinamani.com/