Sex Swami's wild ways

CD seized by wildlife officials, which confirms Nithyananda's love for tiger pelt, could land him in deeper trouble in the days ahead

CD seized by wildlife officials, which confirms Nithyananda's love for tiger pelt, could land him in deeper trouble in the days ahead

Disgraced swami, Nithyananda, who's in police custody for his alleged involvement in several criminal cases relating to obscenity, criminal intimidation, rape and hurting religious sentiments, might land in further trouble following the recovery of a CD.

The CD, which was seized from the swami's Bidadi ashram, has visuals of Swami Nithyananda using wildlife products including a tiger pelt, skin of a leopard, spotted deer and a wild dog.

"The CD is with forest officials. The swami will land in deep trouble if wildlife sleuths decide to investigate how and where he procured the wildlife products," said a source from the forest cell of the CID.

A still from the CD that shows Swami Nithyananda sitting on a tiger pelt

He added neither swami nor the ashram had declared any of the products that are seen in the CD.

"We couldn't interrogate Swami Nithyananda as he went into hiding. But now that he has been arrested, we will go ahead with the case," said an official.

Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests B K Singh said, "I'll ask my subordinates to proceed with the investigations. They will also be asked to get details of wildlife products found in the CD."

However, local forest officials who are probing the case were reluctant to comment.

Geetanjali V, deputy conservator of forests (Ramanagar Division), said, "Earlier, sandalwood pellets were also recovered from the swami's ashram. We'll conduct an investigation in that case.

However, to take appropriate action in case of other wildlife products the swami is evidently seen with, we'll require orders from higher authorities."