Not Nityananda, is Bidadi land, the target?

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A sustained four day campaign by local news television channels against self-styled godman Nityananda brought enough pressure on Karnataka Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda to declare on Monday that the government will arrest the godman, take over the administration of his Dhyanapeetham ashram in Bidadi, and throw a security ring around it.

The CM’s announcement triggered an exodus from the ashram, with some 30, Indian and foreign nationals and their children, leaving the premises.

Speculation is rife that the anti-swami campaign was a cover for a land grab of the 20 acre spread off the Mysore-Bengaluru highway.

The negative media glare on the swami —sparked by a TV journalist attempting to deliver a copy of a court summons in a sexual harassment case to the godman — whipped up sentiments and prompted the CM to act.

Police are on the lookout for Nityanada, who is absconding.

“We have registered cases under Sec 323, 506, 504, 324 and 149 in Bidadi police station against Nityananda. We are not going to revive previous cases pending against him. Right now, it is on developments that took place on June 7,” Ramanagar SP Anupam Agarwal said.

Devotees exit in droves, Police on hunt for Nityananda

Just hours after chief minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda announced the government’s intention to take over the ashram of Nityananda, over 30 devotees left the ashram near Bidadi on Monday.

The police till late Monday evening had not taken charge of the ashram.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Ramanagaram SP Anupam Agarwal said, “We have received certain orders from the chief Minister and will follow the orders. But we need to complete certain formalities before taking charge. Ashram inmates can leave the ashram whenever they wish, but have to go through a screening by the police. As there have been no orders from higher authorities to restrict their movement, we cannot stop them from going out.”

Earlier, the police had registered two cases against Nityananda and others in connection with an altercation between his followers and a section of media during a press conference at his ashram on June 7.

Nityananda is already facing criminal charges, including rape, after a slew of complaints were filed against him in 2010 after local TV channels telecast purported videos of the self-styled godman in a compromising position with an actress.

On Monday, a lot of disciples, mostly foreigners, left the ashram fearing trouble.