SC trashes Nithya’s discharge plea

The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a plea by self-styled godman Swami Nithyananda for discharge in a case of sexual assault on a volunteer.

A bench of Justices L Nageswara Rao and Mohan M Shantanagoudar said it was not inclined to interfere in the matter at this stage.

Senior advocates Gopal Subramanium and Ranjit Kumar, appearing for Nithyananda and others, said 48 witnesses were examined, and nothing adverse was found against their clients.

“It is not a case where a complaint was made to the police. In fact, a newspaper advertisement was made by the investigating officer. Then, two people came forward with the allegations,” Subramanium said.

But the bench was not impressed: “It was upto the prosecution to rely upon whatever materials they want to.”