Nithyananda ashram in child rights row

The complaint also follows failed efforts by the KCPCR and the Women and Child Development Department to persuade the district authorities to check the plight of children at the ashram.

Gurneeth Tej,Director of the Women and Child Development Department,wrote to the Deputy Commissioner of Ramanagara district on July 2 to act against alleged illegal activities at the ashram and rescue the 47 children.

“The issue is very sensitive. You should take necessary action to rescue the children from the ashram on priority. Give proper directions to the Superintendent of Police,” he wrote.

KCPCR chairman Umesh Aradhya said the commission received a complaint from an unknown person on July 21 that children at the Nithyananda Bidadi Ashram were not receiving proper education and were being subjected to mental harassment.

A team of the KCPCR headed by Shivaraje Gowda and Edward Thomas went to the ashram on July 29 to verify the allegations but were denied access.

“A woman disciple,who introduced herself as advocate Ragasudha,abused the KCPCR team,” Aradhya said.

He said Ragasudha also rejected a KCPCR summons.

The KCPCR subsequently filed a written complaint with the Ramanagara Superintendent of Police Anupam Agarwal to take necessary action against the advocate for preventing the commission from discharge of its duty.

On Agarwal’s orders the Bidadi police registered a case on September 19.

“Whenever we receive complaints of violation of child rights,we inspect such places. The Bidadi ashram should also allow our team to inspect the children. We would appreciate the ashram if there is no violation of child rights. But they are preventing us. We will do our duty with police protection soon,” Aradhya said.

Shantimayananda,a public relations officer at the ashram,dismissed the allegations.

“These are all rumors being spread by the media. We are in the process of taking action on this,” he said.