When the criminal petition filed by Nityananda seeking quashing of two FIRs, including one on rape, came up before Justice Arali Nagaraj, Investigating Officer and SP (CID) K N Yogappa said he needed four weeks to record statements of Nitya Vimalananda and Nitya Gopika residing in the US to ascertain if the godman had committed any offence under Sec 377 of IPC (unnatural offences).

Yogappa said he would either seek the Centre's permission to visit US or try to bring the former disciple duo back to record statements, without which the investigation would not be complete.

In his petition, Nityananda contended that none of the charges in the FIRs have been substantiated and prayed that they be quashed.

After hearing the arguments, judge Nagaraj granted four weeks time to Yogappa to complete the investigation and adjourned further hearing to August 20.

Nityananda, who was arrested from Solan district in Himachal Pradesh on April 21 following a controversy in March over local TV channels airing a purported video footage of him in a compromising position with a Tamil actress, was granted bail last month.