Nityananda granted bail, restrained from preaching

Bangalore, June 11: In a major relief to self-styled godman Nityananda Swami, facing rape and other criminal charges, the High Court today granted him conditional bail but said he had “fallen short” of his image as a spiritual head.

Restraining Nityananda from spiritual preaching, the court said “the video footage (purportedly showing him in a compromising position with an actress) has hurt the feelings of people. Hurting peoples’ feelings is worse than a stab injury”.

“Nityananda had fallen short of his image as a spiritual head, a sanyasi and a guru who should be free from all attachments and should have strong determination and courage”, Justice Subhash B Adi said.

Nityananda, in jail for nearly two months, was asked to furnish a personal bond of Rs one lakh and two sureties.

–Agencies