Ranjitha appears, files plaint against Nithyananda’s ex-driver

The controversy involving self-styled godman Swami Paramahamsa Nithyananda took a curious turn on Thursday with actress Ranjitha turning up at a Ramanagara court and lodging a private complaint against Lenin Karuppan, former driver of the godman, another former follower Arathi Rao and advocate Sridhar, accusing them of criminal intimidation and outraging the modesty of a woman.

The actor, who was allegedly shown having a romp with the godman in video footages that made it to the television media, had remained incognito after the tapes hit the headlines.

Accompanied by two advocates, Ranjitha turned up at the court of the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC). Her complaint under Sections 506 and 509 of the Indian Penal Code came up for hearing in the evening and was adjourned to January 29, 2011.

The actor’s statement will be recorded on that day.

Ranjitha submitted that she did not appear in the court all these days as she lacked confidence in the court and police. She alleged that Arathi Rao had connived with Lenin to create the tapes.

The actor contended that the person shown in the tapes was not her.

The actor’s appearance in the court took the legal fraternity by surprise and as the word spread, the court room began filling up with curious onlookers. However, the proceedings ended in five minutes and actor was whisked by her advocates.

It may recalled that after the video scenes showing the godman and Ranjitha appeared in the television media, Lenin had lodged a complaint against the godman, accusing him of rape and  cheating in a Tamil Nadu court.

The complaint was later transferred to the Bidadi police station, under whose jurisdiction the Swami’s ashram fell. The plaint was later transferred to  CID.

On November 27, the CID filed a 430-page chargesheet before the Ramanagara chief judicial magistrate, naming Nithyananda, Nithya Bhaktananda, Nithya Sachidananda, Nithya Sachidananda and Maa Sachidananda alias Ragini.

Charges under IPC sections 376 (rape), 377 (unnatural sex), 417 (cheating) 506 (criminal intimidation) and 120 b (criminal conspiracy) had been levelled against Nithyananda, while Bhaktananda was booked under IPC Sections 212 (harbouring an offender) and 120 (B).

Meanwhile, Nithya Sathyananda and Ma Sachidananda, who were accused on four and five counts in the chargesheet filed against Nithyananda in the Ramanagara JMFC, were granted anticipatory bail.