An Indian-origin “guru” who describes himself as the head priest of a religious society in England has been slapped with a multi-million pound lawsuit in London’s High Court this week after he was accused of sexual assault by women who were his former “disciples”.
Rajinder Kalia, 68, is a defendant in an ongoing lawsuit accusing him of using his sermons and teachings, as well as his alleged performance of “miracles,” to improperly influence the actions of followers. The claimants in the case, all of Indian origin, won a previous legal battle after a judge two years ago granted the case permission to proceed.
Judge Deputy Master Richard Grimshaw concluded in June 2022 that, “There are triable issues to be determined in this case, many of which are factual issues that are intertwined and subject to the claimants’ cases as to the extent of coercive control the respondent (Kalia) exercised over them.”
The trial began last week before Justice Martin Spencer at the Royal Courts of Justice and is expected to conclude next week, with a verdict expected in the coming months.
“I am horrified by the claims being made against me. They are demonstrably false, which makes them even more shocking,” Kalia said in a statement.
He said, “While I have always believed that everyone should have the right to express their views, this right should only be exercised fairly and responsibly. Hence, I am deeply saddened to learn that there is a huge conspiracy afoot in my community to harm me… The truth will soon be revealed. Until then, I would like to thank all those who have supported me and my family during this challenging time.”
The court was told how Punjab-born Kalia had broken his leg “badly” in a motorcycle accident as a teenager and was told by doctors that he would never walk again. However, after a visit to Deotsidh – the birthplace of Baba Balak Nath in Himachal Pradesh’s Hamirpur district – he found he was able to walk again without crutches. He believes it was a miracle and it further strengthened his Hindu faith, especially in Baba Balak Nath.
He moved to the U.K. in January 1977 and began preaching from his home in 1983, after which he bought some land in Coventry and established a “temple” in Baba Balak Nath’s honour in 1986. The Siddha Baba Balak Nath Ji Society of Coventry England is registered with the country’s Charity Commission and is run by trustees and volunteers.
According to court documents for the trial, the temple serves meals three times a week and is helped by elders in the community. Kalia is its head priest or ‘guru’, who describes himself as “Jinder Das”, a servant of God.
The female claimants in the suit have alleged that “severe sexual assaults”, including consensual sex, took place regularly over a number of years in the “priest’s room” at the temple.
Kalia has denied the allegations and his legal team will challenge them on various grounds during the lengthy trial of the case.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)