05 January,2011 08:23 AM IST | | Imran Gowhar
He confessed during interrogation that he had paid Rs 10 crore as ransom to a journalist for not releasing the now-infamous sex clips Deal gone bad: Nithyananda confessed that after bargaining for the ransom, the amountu00a0 was paid by one of his disciples. FILE PIC
Investigations have revealed that Swami Nithyananda was blackmailed just before the sex scandal broke out.
During interrogation, Nithyananda confessed before CID investigators that a journalist allegedly took Rs 10 crore as ransom from one of his followers with a promise that he would not make the CDs public.
Pay up or else
Nithyananda said that the journalist (name withheld) came to meet him with an advocate before the scam broke out. He then informed Nithyananda that he was in possession of some video clips, and would release them to the media if he has not paid Rs 25 crore.
Nithyananda confessed that after bargaining, the amount was brought down to Rs 10 crore and was paid by one of his disciples.
"It shows Nithyananda's role in the scam as he readily consented to pay the amount. If he is not guilty he could have filed a complaint," said a police officer who is part of the investigations.
Following the swami
Ironically, Tamil Film actress Ranjitha had also made the same claim during her recent press conference, where she had mentioned that she was getting blackmail calls and ransom demands.u00a0
"Ranjitha who denied of having any communication with Nithyananda soon after the scam, just repeated whatever the swami had confessed," said an officer adding that even Ranjitha never mentioned about any blackmails to us, when she has been questioned.
Brushing aside her claims, the source said that the duo were very much in touch with each other. "Even Nithyananda has confessed to us that he was in regular contact with Ranjitha before and after the scandal," he said.
"We are not working on this angle right now," said the official. "Other agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate and IT department could take up the investigations about the money exchange.u00a0 "There are possibilities that many more skeletons will tumble," he added.
