Godman Swami Nithyananda has finally surfaced and surrendered at a district court in Karnataka. Nithyananda, who has been accused of rape and assault, had been absconding from his ashram at Bidadi in the Ramanagara distict. In 2010, a video surfaced of the Swami and a female follower in a compromising position and charges of sexual assault were levelled against him by a US-based woman. Nithyananda was released on bail, but again landed in trouble when a reporter lodged a complaint against him and his followers, alleging that they had assaulted him at a press conference last week. But he's not the only godman to have had aspersions cast on his character. We look at some others who've been in the thick of scandals: (Photo: Getty Images)
Sathya Sai Baba: During his lifetime, the spiritual leader was dogged by unverified allegations of sexual abuse of devotees and that his miracles were only parlour tricks. Following his death last year, 98 kilos of gold, 307 kilos of silver and Rs 11.56 crore in cash were found in his personal chambers. A family feud has now broken over control of the trust and assets.
Sant Swami Bhimanand: Delhi's Shiv Murat Dwivedi alias Swami Bhimanand was arrested in 2010 by the police for allegedly running a sex racket in the capital. His prostitution ring included a TV actress, an item girl and airhostesses.
Jayendra Saraswati: The Shankaracharya of Kanchi, Jayendra Saraswati, has courted controversy more than once. He was arrested in 2004 in connection to the murder of Sankararaman, a former employee of the Kanchi mutt. It was reported that the religious head and the victim were not on good terms
Source : PTI
Swami Aseemanand: The former RSS activist, who was working for the upliftment of tribals in different parts of the country, faced a fall from grace when his name cropped up in investigations of the 2006 Malegaon blasts and 2007 Samjhauta Express bombing. He even confessed to the involvement of the RSS in the two terror attacks, but later said that the confession was extracted 'under pressure'. Photo: PTI
