Court extends judicial custody of godman by 14 days in sex racket case

In a proceeding conducted through video-conferencing, a Delhi court today extended by 14 days the judicial custody of self-styled godman Shiv Murat Dwivedi in a flesh trade racket case.

Dwivedi alias Ichchadhari Sant Swami Bhimanand Ji Maharaj Chitrakootwale, who had earlier filed a plea seeking security
in Tihar jail and the prison van, was not brought before metropolitan magistrate Ravinder Singh and was produced through video-conferencing link established between the jail and the court which extended his judicial custody till April 19.

Earlier, the police had told that the Godman was not forced to sign on blank papers to cook up his confessional statement recorded under stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

Defence counsel MS Khan, in an application, had claimed the accused did not record any confessional statement and was forced to sign on blank papers.

Dwivedi, who was allegedly involved in four cases under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act and one case of robbery, was arrested on March 9 under MCOCA.

The godman was alleged to have earned crores of rupees through the sex racket and has properties worth Rs1 crore at various places. He is also accused of running a website for flesh trade.

Earlier, the Tihar jail authorities had provided a separate cell to Dwivedi and his associate after they apprehended that they could be harmed inside the prison.