Washington:
A US court has issued an arrest warrant against a Hindu religious leader who has been convicted of molesting two young girls at his ashram in Texas.
Prakashanand Saraswati, known to his devotees as Shree Swamiji skipped court on the day of his sentencing.
In a statement, the office of the Hays County Sheriff said it was on the lookout for Mr Saraswati whose ashram spreads over 200 acres.
Last week, the Texas court convicted him on 20 counts following charges by Shyama Rose and Vesla Tonnessen Kazimer that Mr Saraswati tried to molest on numerous occasions, starting when they were 12 years old.
The two lived at the ashram along with their other family members.
After Mr Saraswati failed to appear for his court appointment yesterday, District Judge Charles Ramsay issued an arrest warrant against him, and revoked his USD 1 million bond.
US authorities have appealed to the public to share any information on him.
There was no immediate response to the several phone calls and an email sent to Aman Agrawal, spokesman of Barsana Dham, founded by Mr Saraswati in 1990.
"We have not located our client. We don't know the reason for his absence," Jeff Kearney, the lead attorney for Mr Saraswati, was quoted as saying by the American Statesman newspaper.
The sentencing has been rescheduled for today.
"Swamiji was very ill over the weekend," Rich Parsons, a spokesman for Barsana Dham, was quoted as saying.
"We're continuing to try to find him," he added.
Prakashanand Saraswati, known to his devotees as Shree Swamiji skipped court on the day of his sentencing.
In a statement, the office of the Hays County Sheriff said it was on the lookout for Mr Saraswati whose ashram spreads over 200 acres.
Last week, the Texas court convicted him on 20 counts following charges by Shyama Rose and Vesla Tonnessen Kazimer that Mr Saraswati tried to molest on numerous occasions, starting when they were 12 years old.
The two lived at the ashram along with their other family members.
After Mr Saraswati failed to appear for his court appointment yesterday, District Judge Charles Ramsay issued an arrest warrant against him, and revoked his USD 1 million bond.
US authorities have appealed to the public to share any information on him.
There was no immediate response to the several phone calls and an email sent to Aman Agrawal, spokesman of Barsana Dham, founded by Mr Saraswati in 1990.
"We have not located our client. We don't know the reason for his absence," Jeff Kearney, the lead attorney for Mr Saraswati, was quoted as saying by the American Statesman newspaper.
The sentencing has been rescheduled for today.
"Swamiji was very ill over the weekend," Rich Parsons, a spokesman for Barsana Dham, was quoted as saying.
"We're continuing to try to find him," he added.
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