The Madras High Court on Monday restrained self-styled godman Nithyananda from entering Madurai Aadheenam until the disposal of civil cases pending before lower courts relating to the validity of his reported appointment as junior pontiff of the Mutt.
Justice R. Mahadevan directed the Commissioner of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department to ensure that Nithyananda does not enter in any of the institutions associated with the Aadheenam. Police assistance could also be taken, if necessary.
The judge ordered that the State Government should also initiate appropriate action against all heads of religious institutions who bring disrepute to the institutions by their activities and file a report in the court within eight weeks.
The orders were passed on a writ petition filed by Jagathalapradhaban, a follower of the Aadheenam, of Madurai. He had accused Nithyananda of attempting to interfere with the affairs of the Mutt though he had been removed from the post of junior pontiff by the senior pontiff.
