Self-styled godman seeks separate cell in prison citing threat to life

Self-styled godman Shiv Murat Dwivedi today pleaded before a Delhi court that he has threat to his life and sought a separate cell for himself in prison.

However, the additional sessions judge S K Sarvaria directed the jail authorities to act as per the prison rule in the matter and sent the accused to 14 days judicial custody under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

Advocate M S Khan, appearing for Dwivedi, contended that there was threat to the life of accused following media reports that he has amassed huge wealth.

The court also sought response from the police on the allegation levelled by the self-styled godman that he was forced to sign four papers.

The police, however, in an application filed before the court, sought the specimen signature of the accused for the purpose of matching it with handwritings in the diaries seized from his possession. However, the court did not pass any order on it.

The court sent him to judicial custody till April 3 as the probe agency did not seek his further custodial interrogation in the case.

Dwivedi is accused in four cases under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act and one case of robbery. He was arrested on March nine under the provisions of the MCOCA. 

The self-styled Godman is 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 the flesh trade.