Cops register case against godman caught in sex clip

The Tamil Nadu police registered a case of cheating against Swami Paramahamsa Nithyananda on Thursday, a day after a news channel broadcast clippings of the spiritual guru in a compromising position with a Tamil actress.

“We have filed a case based on a complaint lodged by a few high court advocates. It is alleged that he betrayed the trust of people. We are investigating the matter,” Chennai police commissioner D Rajendran said.

The spiritual guru’s alleged sex video has created a furore in Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Karnataka, with protesters demanding his arrest.

Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi said the government would act against ‘fake swamis’ who cheat people. “Despite similar incidents coming to light earlier, cheats donning saffron robes in the garb of being godmen continue to thrive in society. It is my government’s earnest plea to the citizens not to fall prey to such people,” Karunanidhi said in an official statement.

Nithyananda, who has lakhs of followers worldwide, said the video was a campaign to tarnish his image. He alleged that former inmate Premananda, alias Lenin Karuppan, was behind the campaign.