Nithyananda

Kailasa representatives concluded very long-term agreements concerning extensive territories with Bolivian indigenous communities. Bolivian authorities challenged their validity, denied any official diplomatic relationship and took action against certain representatives.

State of the evidence

Documented

The father of two young women associated with the organisation claimed that they were being held against their will. In 2024, the Gujarat High Court rejected his petition after they stated that, as adults, they were voluntarily pursuing their spiritual path.

State of the evidence

Documented

Representatives of the 'United States of Kailasa' spoke at public meetings of UN committees in Geneva. The UN clarified that the meetings were open to the public and that some of Kailasa's contributions, considered tangential or irrelevant, had not been taken into account.

State of the evidence

Documented

Newark held a twinning ceremony with Kailasa before cancelling the agreement after concluding that the entity was not a recognised state. Municipal officials acknowledged having been deceived; no financial transfer was reported.

State of the evidence

Documented

A former disciple accused Nithyananda of rape and other offences. The case led to a trial in Karnataka, cancellation of his bail and subsequently a non-bailable arrest warrant after several failures to appear.

Attribution

Accused

Gujarat police investigated an ashram linked to Nithyananda following allegations of unlawful confinement, mistreatment and the use of minors to collect donations. Two officials were arrested, and a 2020 chargesheet also named Nithyananda, described as absconding.

Attribution

Accused

In a separate case, Nithyananda was arrested under a preventive procedure and then detained. The Karnataka High Court held that the remand lacked a legal basis and quashed the FIR and corresponding proceedings.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated