The last we heard of the rape-accused self-styled spiritual leader Nithyananda was when he started his own Hindu nation—complete with its own emblem, passport and flag. Even as the Interpol issues a blue corner notice (meant to locate, identify or obtain information on a person of interest in a criminal investigation) on the man, the absconding godman has been charged on several counts including rape, child abuse and kidnapping. But the Karnataka police still haven’t brought him to the Indian court. Reason? Looks like it's because he is on a “spiritual tour”.
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In June 2018, Nithyananda was charged under Sections 376 (rape), 420 (cheating), 114 (criminal abetment), 201 (disappearance of evidence, giving false information), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and others under the Indian Penal Code. However, despite being arrested twice since 2010, he has been granted bail from the high courts. In November 2019, he fled the country while on bail, following which India’s Ministry of External Affairs cancelled his passport. Currently, he is suspected to be hiding out in a private island nation in Belize or Ecuador—a micronation that he calls “Kailaasa”—and releases YouTube videos of sermons, despite being on the run from the law.Follow Shamani Joshi on Instagram .