Nithyananda rape case: Karnataka HC stays proceedings of Ramanagara sessions court.

Source – thenewsminute.com

The Karnataka High Court on Thursday stayed all the criminal proceedings of the trial court in Ramanagara related to the rape case against self-proclaimed godman Nithyananda.

According to TOI, state public prosecutor VS Hegde told the court that the complainant Lenin had only challenged the warrant issued against him by the trial court and not to stay the entire proceedings. He urged the court to consider his statements recorded prior to 2014 as his testimony, the report states.

Lenin had petitioned the court seeking a stay on the non-bailable warrant issued against him by the Ramanagara sessions court. Justice G Narendar wanted to know the purpose of the trial if Nithyananda is allowed to flee the country and while witnesses are being questioned in the court.

Justice Narendra asked the prosecutor about the whereabouts of Nithyananda. Hegde replied that Nithyanada had obtained permanent exemption from the proceedings as per an order passed by the High Court itself, The Hindu reported.

Public prosecutor Hegde said that the Gujarat police too are looking for Nithyananda and that efforts were being made by the state to ascertain his whereabouts.

At this juncture, Lenin’s counsel claimed that a blue-corner notice has been issued against Nithyananda, which means he is not in India.

According to the TOI report, Hegde said that Lenin’s conduct is questionable as the latter made serious allegations against the prosecutor as well as the presiding officer in the case. Lenin’s counsel said that the questions arose as the accused was allowed to flee, while warrants have been issued against a witness in the rape case.

Justice Narendar directed the registrar-general of the High Court to secure the records of the case from the 3rd additional district and sessions court, Ramanagara. This was after the public prosecutor sought time to file objections to allegations levelled against the sessions court.