Self-proclaimed spiritual guru Anand Giri was arrested in Australia's Sydney on Sunday, 5 May, for allegedly assaulting two women during prayer meetings, reported Hindustan Times.
Giri, a priest at the Bade Hanuman temple in Prayagraj city in Uttar Pradesh, was on a tour of Australia. He was arrested from the western suburb of Oxley Park over charges of two counts of indecency on two women in separate incidents.
Akhil Bhartiya Akhada Parishad’s President Narendra Giri has confirmed Anand Giri’s arrest over alleged charges of sexual assault.
The first woman was assaulted at her residence in Rooty Hill of Sydney West in 2016, where he was called to pray on New Year. The second woman was assaulted two years later in November 2018 at a prayer lounge in her house, reported Hindustan Times.
Giri is a graduate and is currently pursuing his doctorate in Toga Tantra, according to his website, reported CNN-News18.
Giri was denied bail by Paramatta Court and remanded to further custody to reappear before Mt Druitt Local Court on 26 June.
“Our people in Australia are in contact with authorities and a bail application has again been filed, the hearing on which has been fixed for Wednesday,” Narendra Giri said.
(With inputs from Hindustan Times and CNN-News18.)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)