Malaysian ashram to cooperate in Swami Nithyananda-sex scandal probe

Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Apr 11(ANI): A Malaysian ashram linked to scandal tainted Swami Nithyananda, implicated in a sex romp last month, will cooperate with the Indian police probing a sex scandal involving its founder.

Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam ashram's spokesman, K. Murthi, said he did not know how the Indian police could link the centre's activities with the scandal, as they were purely spiritual in nature.

Murthi said Nithyananda had visited the ashram a few times, adding that it only conducted a few activities in a month, The Star reports.

He also said that all activities at the ashram had stopped since the scandal broke last month.

Earlier, the Bangalore Police had said that it was planning to send a probe team to Malaysia to unearth any evidence at the ashram.

"Through our investigation, we know there is an ashram in Malaysia (Penang). If there is credible information, we will send our officers to probe," said K.N. Yogappa, Superintendent of Police of the Bangalore Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

A total of 30 sex tapes showing Swami Nithyananda indulging in intercourse with at least six different women have reportedly been submitted to the CID.

However, the veracity of the tapes was still to be ascertained.

The investigating officials, who conducted a raid on the Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam ashram at Bidadi on April 5 and 6, have so far interrogated 29 people. (ANI)