Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government has informed the Madras High Court that controversial godman Nithyananda is currently in Ecuador.
Nithyananda, who went into hiding in 2019, had claimed to establish a separate Hindu nation called Kailasa, with its own government, flag, and currency. Despite being wanted by authorities, he continues to deliver speeches online.
The revelation about his location came during a case where Nithyanandaâs representatives challenged the Tamil Nadu governmentâs decision to appoint an administrator for his ashrams. Based on his absence from India, the court dismissed the case.
In his petition filed through advocate Godson Swaminathan, Nithyananda told the Division Bench that the single-judge had erred in denying him relief.
Nithyananda claimed in his appeal that it was âcommon knowledgeâ that he resided at Kailasa, “a nation recognised by the United Nations which maintains diplomatic relations with over 50 countries across the world.”
Nithyananda also sought an interim stay on the single judgeâs order.
However, the High Court said it did not find any merit in his arguments and dismissed the petition.
Nevertheless, the Court added that the trial court hearing the several cases against Nithyananda must not be influenced by the observations made either by the single-judge or the Division Bench of the High Court.