Self-styled godwoman Radhe Maa leaves for the police station from her residence in Mumbai
Radhe Maa, self-appointed godwoman, stepped out of the Kandivali police station in suburban Mumbai four-and-a-half hours after she had gone in for questioning in a dowry harassment case today. Police sources said she was interrogated by five officers and asked 70 questions.
She came out of the police station wearing big sunglasses and a
trishul or trident in hand, her trademark red clothes, a sharp contrast to the sea of khaki around her.
While she was being questioned, the Bombay High Court granted Radhe Maa anticipatory bail which means she will not be arrested for the next two weeks. But for the next two weeks, every Wednesday, she must present herself at the police station between 11 am and 1 pm.
A 32-year-old woman has alleged that she was "mentally and physically tortured" by her husband's family at the instance of Radhe Maa. The 50-year-old Radhe Maa has denied the allegation and says she is being dragged into the matter because the woman's in-laws are her "devotees."
Radhe Maa claims she has lakhs of followers. When she arrived at the police station today in a white SUV, about 20 supporters and 40 cops were awaiting her arrival.
She rushed in and her supporters outside held hands, their lips moving in silent prayer. They wore red bands around their heads with Radhe Maa written on them. Some seemed close to tears.
A lower court had yesterday denied her anticipatory bail after the complainant's lawyer said he feared Radhe Maa would "escape to Bangkok" to avoid being questioned.
She also faces allegations of cheating, obscenity and hurting religious sentiment. A city lawyer, Falguni Brahmbhatt, has filed an obscenity case against Radhe Maa, accusing her of hugging and kissing her "devotees".
Radhe Maa, whose name is Sukhwinder Kaur, is always seen in public in the bright bridal red she wore today. Last week she trended on Twitter for days after photographs of her in a mini-skirt went viral.