Madras HC exempts self-styled godman Nithyananda from personal appearance in case against him

The Madras High Court on Tuesday exempted self-styled godman Nithyananda from a personal appearance before a court in Coimbatore. Justice KBK Vasuki, who passed the order on a petition filed by Nithyananda, ordered issue of notice to Arun Sampath,who had filed a private complaint before the judicial magistrate at Coimbatore.

The magistrate had issued summons taking cognisance of the complaint and directed that Nithyananda appear in person tomorrow which was challenged by him. He sought an interim direction to dispense with his personal appearance.

Nithyananda had in an interview to a TV channel in 2011 made some alleged remarks against Sampath following which the latter filed the complaint. The self-styled godman had first courted controversy afterTV channels telecast visuals purportedly showing him in a compromising position with a Tamil actress, leading to his arrest in 2010. He was subsequently released on bail.