Radhe Maa, controversial "godwoman", says she is pious and pure
Radhe Maa, who calls herself a godwoman, has been denied anticipatory bail by a court in Mumbai.
She had sought protection from arrest just a day before her questioning by the police on a dowry harassment complaint by a woman. The 32-year-old woman has alleged "mental and physical torture" by her husband's family at the instance of Radhe Maa.
The woman's lawyer KR Mehta alleged that Radhe Maa wanted to "escape to Bangkok".
"Our main objection to her bail was that she is likely to abscond and that is why she wants to avoid appearing before the police on Friday," Mr Mehta said.
The 50-year-old self-professed guru has also been accused of cheating, obscenity and hurting religious sentiment.
Yesterday, the police said the chances of Radhe Maa being arrested are slim, despite the controversies linked to her. "No concrete evidence has been found against Radhe Maa in the dowry harassment case till now," police sources told NDTV.
Earlier this week, lawyer Falguni Brahmbhatt petitioned the Bombay High Court asking for an FIR or police complaint against Radhe Maa. The lawyer says the police have not acted against Radhe Maa despite her repeated complaints.
Radhe Maa, who was Sukhwinder Kaur before giving herself a "spiritual" makeover, is always seen wearing garish red and holding a trident. She generated a huge buzz on social media after pictures of her in a mini-skirt went viral. An obscenity complaint was filed by Falguni Brahmbhatt, who also accuses Radhe Maa of hugging and kissing her devotees.
Battling allegations, Radhe Maa declared at a press conference last week: "I am pure and pious, I have never hurt anybody."