[Breaking] Karnataka High Court cancels bail granted to Nithyananda

The Karnataka High Court today cancelled the bail granted to self-styled Godman Nithyananda. Consequently, the Court has directed that Nithyananda be taken into custody. Further, his bail bond stands forfeited..Justice John Michael Cunha had reserved orders on a plea filed to cancel Nithyananda's bail filed by former aide, Lenin Karuppan in a rape case pending against the Godman since 2010. .Karuppan had urged for the cancellation of the bail granted to Nithyananda Nithyananda for skipping trial, fleeing the country on an expired passport, and making false representations in his exemption petitions to a trial court..Orders were reserved after the Karnataka Police told the Court that Nithyananda was currently on a spiritual tour while explaining his absence from the court proceedings..In this regard, the State brought to the attention of the Court that Nithyananda was not available at his Bidadi ashram, as he is on a 'Spiritual Tour' currently. Owing to the same, notice on the plea for bail cancellation had only been served on Kumari Archanananda, an aide to Nithyananda..Police claims Nithyananda is on a "spiritual tour"; Karnataka HC reserves order in plea seeking cancellation of Godman's bail .The counsel for the petitioner, Advocate Ashwin Vaish, had argued that the accused Nithyananda had fled the country in order to escape trial proceedings. He further contended that Nithyananda had been claiming to be in India in his exemption petitions before the trial court. However, he had sought asylum in Ecuador, it was claimed. Vaish further argued that Nithyananda is in possession of a second passport..On the Court's query, the Public Prosecutor appearing on behalf of the State pointed out that Nithyananda’s immediate presence is not required before the trial court right now and that he has not violated any of his bail conditions..Nithyananda is facing trial under Sections 376 (rape), 377 (unnatural sex), 420 (cheating), 114 (criminal abetment), 201 (disappearance of evidence, giving false information), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and other charges under the Indian Penal Code (IPC).