Nityananda ashram account de-freezed

BANGALORE: Controversial self-styled godman Nityananda's ashram Dhayanapeetam is now free to operate its accounts with police today withdrawing its application based on which the Karnataka High Court had frozen them.

CID, investigating the cases against Nityananda, facing rape and other criminal charges, moved an application before Justice Ajit Gunjal, withdrawing its April 29 application based on which the high court had ordered freezing of the ashram's accounts.

Additional Advocate General Mahesh filed the application before the court on behalf of CID.

The ashram has been complaining that it has been facing funds crunch to run its activities in the wake of freezing of its accounts.

It had also stated that the ongoing 'pancha tapasya', the meditation for penance being undertaken by Nityananda was being arranged by devotees from their own funds.

Nityananda was granted bail by the high court and was released from jail on June 13 after being in judicial custody for 53 days.