We have cancelled Nithyananda’s passport, plea for new one also rejected: MEA

The government has cancelled passport of controversial self-styled godman Nithyananda and rejected his application for a fresh one, said Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson on Friday.

New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday said that the government has cancelled self-styled godman Nithyananda's passport and also rejected his application for a fresh one while sensitising all its missions and posts abroad about the fugitive.

"We have cancelled his passport, his fresh passport request was put on hold as he couldn't get clearance from police," said MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar during a press conference.

Asked about reports that Nithyananda has founded his own country, Kumar said, "Setting up a website is different from setting up a nation."

Kumar added, "We have sensitised all our missions and posts. It is difficult to speculate on the location of fugitives and it is not for the MEA to find him. We have told foreign governments to inform us if they have any info. We are still waiting as of now."

Nithyananda is accused of abducting children and using them to raise money for his ashram.

In June 2018, a court in Karnataka had framed charges against him in a rape case.