News for 'self-styled godman'

Poisonous substance triggered stampede: Bhole Baba's lawyer

Poisonous substance triggered stampede: Bhole Baba's lawyer

Rediff.com7 Jul 2024

Self-styled godman Bhole Baba's lawyer A P Singh alleged on Sunday that witnesses told him some people opened cans containing a poisonous substance in the crowd during the July 2 Hathras 'satsang', triggering the stampede.

50 people have been killed in stampedes this year

50 people have been killed in stampedes this year

Rediff.com4 Jun 2025

The Royal Challenger's Bengaluru parade in celebration of the team's maiden Indian Premiere League win in 18 years turned into tragedy as at least 11 fans died and several were injured in a stampede near the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday.

Controversial Odisha 'godman' Sarathi Baba arrested

Controversial Odisha 'godman' Sarathi Baba arrested

Rediff.com8 Aug 2015

Controversial self-styled 'godman' Sarathi Baba was on Saturday arrested by Odisha police on cheating and other charges following violent protests demanding action against him for his alleged escapades.

Kerala: Godman goes berserk, fires two shots

Kerala: Godman goes berserk, fires two shots

Rediff.com17 May 2008

In an early morning drama at the Aluva town police station in Kerala, a self-styled godman, threatening to commit suicide, fired two shots from his pistol and injured himself and a police officer. In the melee, several mediapersons were injured. Himaval, a self-styled astrologer and influential power-broker who claims to be close to top State politicians, had been arrested and let off on bail by Kochi police only on Friday on charges of trespassing into a newspaper office.

Haryana godman under CBI scanner

Haryana godman under CBI scanner

Rediff.com4 Sep 2005

The CBI claims Kishan Lal, who is one of the managers at the Dera Sachha Sauda, owned by a self-styled godman Maharaj Gurmeet Singh on the outskirts of Sirsa, was allegedly involved in the murder of Ranjit Singh in July 2002.

Revealed: Godman's links with Lt Col Purohit

Revealed: Godman's links with Lt Col Purohit

Rediff.com25 Nov 2008

In a state of trance, Pandey reveals that while working for the Indian Air Force, he got in touch with Purohit who was in the military intelligence at that time.

Godman's role in Rajiv assassination being probed

Godman's role in Rajiv assassination being probed

Rediff.com11 Dec 2004

One of the allegations against Chandraswami is that he financed the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, CBI told a Delhi court.

Prime time drama: Amid Radhe Maa debate woman slaps godman

Prime time drama: Amid Radhe Maa debate woman slaps godman

Rediff.com14 Sep 2015

The two guests used expletives, slapped and grappled with each other on a live show.

Criminal case filed against UP godman for kidnap

Criminal case filed against UP godman for kidnap

Rediff.com7 Mar 2010

The Ghaziabad police has registered a criminal case against a self-styled godman for allegedly kidnapping a 28-year-old MBA girl.

He can do anything: Rape survivor's kin on fresh bail for Asaram

He can do anything: Rape survivor's kin on fresh bail for Asaram

Rediff.com30 Mar 2025

The survivor's father claimed the family had been cheated by their lawyer who did not file an objection to Asaram's bail plea despite getting all the papers ready.

Delhi baba booked for sexually harassing 17 students at his institute

Delhi baba booked for sexually harassing 17 students at his institute

Rediff.com24 Sep 2025

Female students alleged that Saraswati used abusive language, sent obscene messages, and made unwanted physical advances.

'Baby, I love you': Delhi baba's lewd texts revealed in FIR

'Baby, I love you': Delhi baba's lewd texts revealed in FIR

Rediff.com25 Sep 2025

Female students of Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management, Delhi were allegedly forced to visit the quarter of self-styled godman Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati late at night and one of them was even forced to change her name, the FIR filed against him read.

SC stays 2-week furlough granted to Asaram's son Narayan Sai

SC stays 2-week furlough granted to Asaram's son Narayan Sai

Rediff.com12 Aug 2021

The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed a Gujarat high court order granting two-week furlough to rape convict Narayan Sai, son of self-styled godman Asaram Bapu.

SIT points to 'big conspiracy' behind Hathras satsang stampede

SIT points to 'big conspiracy' behind Hathras satsang stampede

Rediff.com9 Jul 2024

The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday suspended the local SDM, a circle officer and four others based on the SIT report on the Hathras stampede that did not rule out a "big conspiracy" behind the incident.

Hathras satsang stampede: Police suspect 'political link' to Bhole Baba

Hathras satsang stampede: Police suspect 'political link' to Bhole Baba

Rediff.com6 Jul 2024

The Hathras SP said the investigation also revealed that some political parties had contacted him some time back.

Asaram: From godman to rapist

Asaram: From godman to rapist

Rediff.com25 Apr 2018

Asumal Sirumalani aka Asaram added around 400 ashrams in India and abroad within a span of four decades.

Nithyananda gets bail in assault case

Nithyananda gets bail in assault case

Rediff.com14 Jun 2012

Controversial self-styled godman Nithyananda, arrested in an assault case, was granted bail by a Ramanagara court on Thursday by judicial first class magistrate Komala. Nithyananda was sent to one-day police custody on Wednesday after he surrendered before the court in Ramanagara, about 40 km from Bengaluru. He had later filed a bail petition

Footage meant to outrage Hindus: Nityananda

Footage meant to outrage Hindus: Nityananda

Rediff.com1 Jul 2010

Self-styled godman Nityananda on Thursday moved an application before the Karnataka high court praying for prosecuting his former disciple K Lenin, accusing him of filing a "false" complaint that he had indulged in sleaze activities.

No relief for 'godman' Asaram Bapu, court rejects bail plea again

No relief for 'godman' Asaram Bapu, court rejects bail plea again

Rediff.com20 Jun 2015

Self-styled 'godman' Asaram Bapu, who is in jail since September 2013 for allegedly raping a minor, was on Saturday denied bail by a court in Jodhpur, the sixth time his plea for relief has been turned down.

Godman's bhakts won't let him be arrested despite Haryana CM's appeals

Godman's bhakts won't let him be arrested despite Haryana CM's appeals

Rediff.com15 Nov 2014

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Saturday appealed to self-styled godman Sant Rampal to present himself before the court in a "peaceful manner", saying one must give utmost priority to uphold the dignity of the judicial system.

Gujarat court convicts Asaram Bapu in another rape case, acquits 6

Gujarat court convicts Asaram Bapu in another rape case, acquits 6

Rediff.com30 Jan 2023

More than nine years after a former disciple of Asaram Bapu lodged a case of rape against him during her earlier stay in his ashram, a court in Gandhinagar on Monday convicted the self-styled godman and is likely to pronounce the sentence on Tuesday.

'Godman's' latest trick: Asaram refuses to cooperate for potency test

'Godman's' latest trick: Asaram refuses to cooperate for potency test

Rediff.com17 Oct 2013

Self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, who is facing sexual assault charges, on Wednesday refused to cooperate during a potency test at the civil hospital in Ahmedabad, officials said.

Everyone has to die one day: Bhole Baba on stampede

Everyone has to die one day: Bhole Baba on stampede

Rediff.com17 Jul 2024

Self-styled godman Bhole Baba said Wednesday that he is very disturbed by the Hathras stampede but nobody can avoid what is destined and everyone has to die one day.

Asaram's close aide arrested in witness murder case

Asaram's close aide arrested in witness murder case

Rediff.com19 Jul 2016

A close aide of Asaram who was evading arrest in connection with the murder of a prime witness in a rape case against the self-styled godman has been arrested.

Godman Rampal sent to jail till November 28

Godman Rampal sent to jail till November 28

Rediff.com20 Nov 2014

Rampal Maharaj, the 63-year-old guru who was arrested from his fortified ashram in Haryana on Wednesday night, has been sent to jail till November 28, till his next hearing.

SC refuses to admit Asaram's plea to suspend sentence

SC refuses to admit Asaram's plea to suspend sentence

Rediff.com1 Mar 2024

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a plea of self-styled godman Asaram, serving life term in a rape case, for suspension of the sentence because of his deteriorating health condition.

Govt has cancelled Nithyananda's passport: MEA

Govt has cancelled Nithyananda's passport: MEA

Rediff.com6 Dec 2019

Asked about reports that Nithyananda declaring founding his own country called 'Kailassa' in his website, Kumar said, "Setting up a website is different from setting up a nation."

Happy to get justice, says rape victim's father on Asaram verdict

Happy to get justice, says rape victim's father on Asaram verdict

Rediff.com25 Apr 2018

'When I came to know what had happened to my daughter, it was shattering for us...we lost all faith in him when we learnt about his misdeeds'

Rampal sentenced to life in murder cases

Rampal sentenced to life in murder cases

Rediff.com16 Oct 2018

Besides the murder charges, the Barwala police had also invoked offences of wrongful confinement in the two FIRs.

Controversial godman Chandraswami dies

Controversial godman Chandraswami dies

Rediff.com23 May 2017

He was seen as one of former PM Rao's trusted aides and advisers.

Asaram Bapu arrested from Indore ashram

Asaram Bapu arrested from Indore ashram

Rediff.com31 Aug 2013

Hot on the trail of Asaram Bapu, the Jodhpur Police has said that the self-styled godman, who is currently at Indore ashram, is medically fit for interrogation and is set to question him soon in connection with the sexual assault case.

Asaram's camp vandalised, visit to Kumbh Mela opposed

Asaram's camp vandalised, visit to Kumbh Mela opposed

Rediff.com10 Jan 2013

A camp set up at Kumbh Mela ground for Asaram Bapu's discourse was vandalised while several outfits have opposed the proposed visit of the self-styled godman, who has drawn flak for his remarks on the Delhi gang rape victim, at the religious congregation.

Want to see Swami Nithya on Bigg Boss 6? VOTE!

Want to see Swami Nithya on Bigg Boss 6? VOTE!

Rediff.com21 Sep 2012

The controversial Swami has reportedly been approached to be on the show.

He conned godmen, gave away money to poor

He conned godmen, gave away money to poor

Rediff.com12 Aug 2010

A 39-year-old engineer, who allegedly duped some ashrams in Tamil Nadu to the tune of a few lakhs of rupees has been arrested, said the police. R Prakash, hailing from Madurai, decided to con ashrams and self-styled godmen after he lost nearly Rs two lakh to a self-styled godman a few years ago, they said.

Hathras stampede main accused surrenders in Delhi

Hathras stampede main accused surrenders in Delhi

Rediff.com6 Jul 2024

In a video message, Madhukar's lawyer AP Singh claimed that his client had surrendered in Delhi, where he was undergoing treatment.

Police arrest 6 volunteers for stampede at UP satsang

Police arrest 6 volunteers for stampede at UP satsang

Rediff.com4 Jul 2024

The Uttar Pradesh police on Thursday said they have arrested six sevadars (volunteers), including two women, of the organising committee in connection with the Hathras stampede that killed 121 people.

Nityananda faces arrest, police to secure custody of ashram

Nityananda faces arrest, police to secure custody of ashram

Rediff.com11 Jun 2012

Controversial self-styled godman Nityananda on Monday faced a search warrant for his arrest after the government decided to act against him over his activities including alleged sexual exploitation of his disciples. Nityananda, who is already facing criminal cases including rape on complaints from some former disciples last year, is reportedly absconding from his ashram at Bidadi in Ramanagara district near Bangalore.

Hathras stampede: Preacher Bhole Baba equated himself to God

Hathras stampede: Preacher Bhole Baba equated himself to God

Rediff.com4 Jul 2024

The self-styled godman, who is called Baba Narayan Hari and Saakar Vishwa Hari Bhole Baba, is not named in the list of the accused in the FIR filed in the incident though his name is in the complaint.

Nithyananda conferred 'Mahamandaleshwar' title

Nithyananda conferred 'Mahamandaleshwar' title

Rediff.com14 Feb 2013

In a move that has ruffled many feathers, the Mahanirvani Akhara of 'naga' sadhus has conferred the honorific title of 'Mahamandaleshwar' on controversial self-styled godman Swami Nithyananda.

'Asaram habitual offender': Prosecution seeks life imprisonment

'Asaram habitual offender': Prosecution seeks life imprisonment

Rediff.com31 Jan 2023

The 81-year-old godman is currently lodged in a Jodhpur jail, where he is serving life sentence in another case of raping a minor girl at his ashram in Rajasthan in 2013.