Controversial ‘godman’ accused of rape seeks asylum in Sri Lanka - report
Self-proclaimed spiritual leader and accused of rape, Nithyananda is reportedly seeking political asylum in Sri Lanka, according to India Today.
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 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.”
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.
In the letter, the Shrikailasa minister said, “Keeping the health of Nithyananda in mind, we request Your Excellency to grant irrevocable political asylum immediately to SPH so he can be airlifted via air ambulance and receive medical treatment in safety in the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. In addition, given that SPH’s life is in danger from the forces of persecution, we believe that the best way to guarantee his safety is for SPH to travel from and to Shrikailasa as a Head of State.”
The self-proclaimed minister requested the island nation to initiate diplomatic ties with his so-called country. Demanding a safe passage for Nithyananda, his minister said that Shrikailasa would bear the expenses of the medical treatment and the equipment too.
“Shrikailasa will purchase and bring any medical equipment required to treat SPH and will take care of all the medical expenses incurred in Sri Lanka. And as an expression of our gratitude, we will leave behind that medical equipment worth millions of dollars for the benefit of the people of your nation,” the fugitive godman’s minister’s letter read.
The letter even mentioned Nithyananda’s offer to invest in Sri Lanka, ‘once irrevocable political asylum is granted’ to the fugitive self-styled godman.
It may be recalled that Nithyananda fled 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.
Nithyananda hails from Tamil Nadu and his real name is said to be Rajasekharan.