London, An Indian-born “guru,” who calls himself the head priest of a religious society in England, is being sued for millions of pounds at the High Court in London this week over sexual assault allegations made by women who were his exes. disciples.”
Rajinder Kalia, 68, is the defendant in an ongoing trial accused of using his sermons and teachings, as well as the alleged performance of “miracles,” to improperly influence the actions of his followers. The plaintiffs in the case, all of Indian origin, had won an earlier legal battle two years ago after a judge allowed the case to proceed to trial.
"There are actionable issues to be determined in this case, and many of the factual issues are intertwined and subject to the plaintiffs' cases as to the coercive control that the defendant (Kalia) exercised over them," Associate Justice Richard Grimshaw concluded in June. of 2022.
The trial began last week at the Royal Courts of Justice before Judge Martin Spencer and is expected to conclude next week, with a sentence expected in the coming months.
“I am horrified by the accusations being made against me. They are patently false, which makes them even more disconcerting,” Kalia said in a statement.
“While I have always believed that everyone should be given a voice, this right should only be used fairly and responsibly. So, it is with great sadness that I sense an elaborate conspiracy to harm me within my community... The truth will soon come to light. Until then, I would like to thank all those who have helped me and my family sustain us through this difficult time,” he said.
The court has been told how Punjab-born Kalia “seriously” broke his leg in a motorcycle accident when he was a teenager and was told by medical professionals he would never walk again. However, after a visit to Deotsidh, Hamirpur district in Himachal Pradesh, Baba Balak Nath's origin, he discovered that he could walk again without crutches. He believes this was a miracle and improved his Hindu faith, particularly in Baba Balak Nath.
He moved to the UK in January 1977 and began preaching in 1983 from his home before buying land in Coventry and in 1986 he established a “temple” in celebration of Baba Balak Nath. The Sidh 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 from the trial, the temple serves food three times a week and helps the elders of the community with Kalia as its head priest, or "guru," referring to himself as a servant of God "Jinder Das."
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit allege that "serious sexual assaults" occurred regularly for many years in the temple's "priest room," including one allegation of consensual sexual intercourse.
Kalia denies the allegations and his legal team will challenge them on various grounds as the case progresses through the lengthy trial.
Rajinder Kalia, 68, is the defendant in an ongoing trial accused of using his sermons and teachings, as well as the alleged performance of “miracles,” to improperly influence the actions of his followers. The plaintiffs in the case, all of Indian origin, had won an earlier legal battle two years ago after a judge allowed the case to proceed to trial.
"There are actionable issues to be determined in this case, and many of the factual issues are intertwined and subject to the plaintiffs' cases as to the coercive control that the defendant (Kalia) exercised over them," Associate Justice Richard Grimshaw concluded in June. of 2022.
The trial began last week at the Royal Courts of Justice before Judge Martin Spencer and is expected to conclude next week, with a sentence expected in the coming months.
“I am horrified by the accusations being made against me. They are patently false, which makes them even more disconcerting,” Kalia said in a statement.
“While I have always believed that everyone should be given a voice, this right should only be used fairly and responsibly. So, it is with great sadness that I sense an elaborate conspiracy to harm me within my community... The truth will soon come to light. Until then, I would like to thank all those who have helped me and my family sustain us through this difficult time,” he said.
The court has been told how Punjab-born Kalia “seriously” broke his leg in a motorcycle accident when he was a teenager and was told by medical professionals he would never walk again. However, after a visit to Deotsidh, Hamirpur district in Himachal Pradesh, Baba Balak Nath's origin, he discovered that he could walk again without crutches. He believes this was a miracle and improved his Hindu faith, particularly in Baba Balak Nath.
He moved to the UK in January 1977 and began preaching in 1983 from his home before buying land in Coventry and in 1986 he established a “temple” in celebration of Baba Balak Nath. The Sidh 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 from the trial, the temple serves food three times a week and helps the elders of the community with Kalia as its head priest, or "guru," referring to himself as a servant of God "Jinder Das."
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit allege that "serious sexual assaults" occurred regularly for many years in the temple's "priest room," including one allegation of consensual sexual intercourse.
Kalia denies the allegations and his legal team will challenge them on various grounds as the case progresses through the lengthy trial.
