Two Women Allegedly Confined By Swami Nithyananda Have No Objection To Appear Before Court Via Video Conferencing, Gujarat High Court Told

The division bench of Justice N. V. Anjaria and Justice Niral R. Mehta was hearing a habeas corpus petition filed in 2019 by the father of Lopamudra (21 years old) and Nandhitha (18 years old) who went missing allegedly in mysterious circumstances. It was alleged by the father in the petition that his daughters were forcibly taken away and enticed by Nithyananda for purposes other than lawful.

Senior Advocate B.B. Naik, appearing for the girls, submitted before the court that they have no objection as such to appear before the court through video conferencing arrangement. However, it was submitted by the counsel that the court may first consider and decide their preliminary objection as regards territorial jurisdiction to try and entertain the habeas corpus petition.

The court enquired about the situs place of the missing girls to which it was informed that no other information was available other than the fact that they are in Jamaica and staying at Kingston.

“It is to be stated that the information relation to the precise place where the corpora have been staying and the details as to in whose company and custody they happen to be, are the information necessary for the purpose of present proceeding. There is no gainsaying to the such information when furnished would help the Court in the process of consideration of the matter,” said the court.

The counsel for the girls stated that he would try to seek such other relevant information by the next date.

Earlier, the court had sought a response from the Ministry of Home Affairs. Advocate Kshitij Amin informed the court that Union of India will file an affidavit in reply. The Court ordered to list the matter again on 27.02.2023.

Case Title: Janardhana Ramkrishna Sharma v. State of Gujarat

Coram: Justice N. V. Anjaria and Justice Niral R. Mehta

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