More trouble maybe in store for rape accused and controversial self-styled godman Nithyananda. The Karnataka High Court has now questioned the Bidadi police for not investigating the death of a woman, who died under mysterious circumstances in December, 2014 in his ashram.
The police will now file an affidavit before June 8 including all documents pertaining to the investigation. The case will be heard again on June 11. The court also orally stated that the case should be referred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Meanwhile, in the rape case, after multiple delays, framing of charges will be done on June 5, eight years after registration of the FIR.
On Tuesday, Justice Aravind Kumar was hearing a plea by Jansi Rani seeking a CBI probe on the suspicious death of her daughter, Sangeeta. The 24-year-old had died on December 29, 2014 at Nithyananda Bidadi ashram. At the time of her death Sangeeta, a disciple of Nithyananda was working as the Head of Computer Department and was allegedly blackmailed by Nithyananda's aides.
In her plea, Jansi has said that despite the controversial circumstances, the police in collusion with Nithyananda conducted a post-mortem at a private hospital.
The Additional Advocate General appearing for the state government, who provided original documents/ records of the case was asked to leave them with the court registrar for safekeeping in a sealed cover. The AAG was told to get photocopies of the original documents.
According to sources, the judge observed that the second autopsy revealed that important organs were removed in the first autopsy.
Bidadi Police Station Inspector who was present at the court on Tuesdaycould not be reached for a comment.
As reported earlier by TNM, Sangeetha Arjunan, a native of Tiruchi in Tamil Nadu died in the ashram premises on December 28, 2014 and the ashram officials claimed she died of a heart attack.
Her parents however, have said that Sangeetha did not have any heart condition and that they suspected foul play. But despite meeting the Ramnagara Superintendent of Police, the police did not begin investigations in the case.
At that time, Jansi had also alleged that her daughter had been assaulted by Nithyananda in the ashram. She had also went to allege that she was pressured by Nithyananda's associates in order to get Sangeetha’s mortal remains.
Sangeetha’s death is not the only controversial death in Nithyanda’s ashram. At least two other similar instances were reported.
Nithyananda.org released a press statement making completely contradictory remarks, adding that Jansi was thankful to the godman for relieving her from depression, heart and kidney ailments.
“Ms. Sangeetha Arjunan (Ma Nithya Turiyateetananda), a sannyasi at Nithyananda ashram passed away on 28 December 2014 due to sudden cardiac arrest. Her family has had a history of cardiac problems leading to death at a young age. Her sister and cousin also had died at a young age due to cardiac problems. Her cousin had also died of cardiac arrest one day before Ms Sangeetha. Hospital sources confirmed that Ms. Sangeetha’s death was a natural death as well given her family history of heart issues. Ms Sangeetha's mother also had expressed deep gratitude at how on her daughter's death she was helped to come out of depression and healed of her heart and kidney failure by Sri Nithyananda Swami,” the statement read.
Nithyananda has been at the centre of controversy since 2010, when multiple regional channels broadcast a clip of the godman in a compromising position with an actor.