Rape-accused Nithyananda seeks medical asylum in Sri Lanka

Self-proclaimed spiritual leader and accused of rape, Nithyananda is reportedly seeking political asylum in Sri Lanka. Citing a deterioration in his health, the fugitive godman penned a letter to the president of the island nation on August 7 and flagged an 'urgent' need for medical attention. The letter mentioned the scarcity of medical infrastructure in the Sovereign State of Shrikailasa, an island established and named by the spiritual leader.

A top source in the Sri Lankan government confirmed to India Today that the letter mentioned that rape-accused Nithyananda was critically ill and in dire need of treatment. India Today accessed the letter written to the president of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe, in August 2022.

Written by Nithyaprematma Ananda Swami, who claims to be the minister of foreign affairs of Shrikailasa, the letter requested the president as follows -

"The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism (SPH) His Divine Holiness Sri Nithyananda Paramashivam is in need of urgent medical care for a serious medical condition. After exhausting the medical facilities currently available in Kailasa, the doctors are still unable to diagnose the underlying medical condition. The SPH is presently in the Sovereign Land of Shrikailasa, which does not have the required medical infrastructure that is most urgently needed at this time."

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This letter stated that Nityananda was critically unwell and required treatment, hence his followers are not only seeking political asylum but medical help from Sri Lanka.

 from India in November 2018 after Gujarat police arrested two of his disciples on charges of kidnapping. He was accused of using the faces of children to attract donations. Rape charges were also registered against Nithyananda in Karnataka. Subsequently, the self-styled godman left the country.

The rape charges against Nithyananda were filed in 2010 based on a complaint by his former driver Lenin. He was arrested and later released on bail.