The 86-year-old Jagadguru Ram Tripathi Maharaj, charged with rape in Trinidad, was allowed to leave the country yesterday after pleas from his lawyers backed by loyal supporters.
The Hindu holy man charged with rape and molestation received permission to continue his spiritual tour of the world yesterday, after his lawyers begged on behalf of millions of his devotees.Deputy Chief Court Magistrate Mark Wellington said he would take "a big risk" and return Maharaj's passport but he denied a request by the State to increase the bail granted to the swami, who is from India, to ensure his return to Trinidad.
Ramadhar said Maharaj could not hide because "he is known around the world. He has nowhere to hide. He will find it impossible to be a fugitive".
It was the swami's third appearance yesterday in the San Fernando First Magistrates's Court, defended by attorney Ramadhar, Jagdeo Singh and Brian Dabideen.
Defence attorney Chateram Sinanan, who had asked for contempt of court proceedings to be pursued against the Express when the case was last called, was absent yesterday.
Sinanan had made the misguided arguments that the media could not publish the identity of the accused.
An amendment to the Sexual Offences Act 2000 gives the media the right to name the accused.
Maharaj is charged with the rape of a 22-year-old Guyanese woman and with indecently assaulting her. The charges stem from an alleged incident in a room at the home of a businessman at San Fernando, where the swami has been staying since his arrival in Trinidad on May 15.
Maharaj was freed on $50,000 bail but his passport was seized.
Yesterday, Ramadhar said Maharaj was conducting a 32-day prayer service in Canada in June, and thousands of people had booked flights to attend. He produced photos of Maharaj's temple in Austin, Texas, and of a hospital in India that the swami built.
He said the jagadguru, the married father of five, had a worldwide audience and appeared on two satellite television channels.
Ramadhar said the swami was eager to return to Trinidad to clear his name and "we are ready to rock, since the police now know what they closed their eyes to before they charged him".
Maharaj was ordered to return to court on July 16. He is expected to leave Trinidad on June 16.
