I am pure, innocent: Radhe Maa

Coming out before the media for the first time, self-styled controversial godwoman Radhe Maa on Monday said she is “innocent, pure and pious” and distanced herself from the dowry harassment charges made against her.

“I have not hurt anyone....I am innocent, pure and pious,” Radhe Maa told reporters during a brief interaction at Walkeshwar in Malabar Hill here on Monday.

“I have deep respect for the media, police and law....I respect them,” the 50-year-old Radhe Maa, often seen in red bridal wear, said. 

Mamtamai Shri Radhe Guru Maa, as she is referred to by her followers, was touring parts of Maharashtra over the weekend and landed in Mumbai on Sunday night. She has been summoned by the Kandivli police station.

“Whoever becomes my devotee, God helps them,” she said.

The dowry harassment case has been lodged in the Borivli police station by one Nikki Gupta, who accused her husband, a chartered accountant, her in-laws and Radhe Maa of dowry demands.

Gupta said her parents had given substantial jewellery at her wedding, but Radhe Maa had asked her in-laws to pressurise her for more dowry. She was also made to work at her ashram.

According to the police, the complainant accused Radhe Maa of instigating her in-laws, who are her followers for many years, to demand dowry.

Meanwhile, another allegation has surfaced against Radhe Maa. Her helpers reportedly fooled a seven-member farmer family in Gujarat by taking money to guarantee peace and prosperity in their house.

Four of the farmers committed suicide last year after realising that they had been tricked. They had arranged for the money by selling off their land, according to the complaint filed by Ramesh Joshi, president of Dharm Rakshak Maha Manch.