HC rejects plea of man claiming his 2 daughters kept in illegal confinement of 'godman' Nithyananda
Ahmedabad, Feb 5: The Gujarat High Court has dismissed a man's petition seeking production and release of his two daughters who he claimed were in the illegal confinement of self-proclaimed godman and fugitive Swami Nithyananda.
In its order issued on Friday on the habeas corpus plea of Janardhana Sharma, the high court observed that his daughters are apparently happy and on a spiritual path at their place of residence.
A division bench of Justices A Y Kogje and Rajendra M Sareen relied on the appearance of the man's two daughters, aged 21 and 18, before the court on January 10, 2024 via a video link wherein they indicated they were not in any "illegal confinement" as claimed in the plea, and have consciously decided to follow the "spiritual path".Having interviewed both the corpora (the petitioner's daughters), the court is "satisfied that both are adults and mature enough to understand their well being and apparently are happy at the place where they are presently residing and on their spiritual path," it said.
"In view of the aforesaid, the court deems it fit to discharge the notice and dismiss the petition accordingly. The virtual interaction with the corpora has been recorded and the registry is directed to preserve such recordings as part of the record of the case," the HC said.
The interaction with the corpora via the video link would indicate that they were not in any illegal confinement, the court said.
It also indicated that they were residing at the place out of their free will and have decided to continue to stay there and follow the spiritual path consciously, the HC said in its order.
"They (the corpora) have also indicated about the spiritual sessions which they undertake which are followed by many people all across the world. The court, finding the same to be reliable, is unable to conclude that the corpora are in any manner under any duress or influence," it said.
Sharma, in his petition moved in November 2019, claimed his daughters were kept in illegal confinement at the Ahmedabad ashram of Nithyananda and that the two were abducted out of India after the godman fled the country.
The petitioner also claimed that the corpora appearing from an unrecognised country "Kailasa" via the video link, rather than presenting themselves through the Indian Embassy, does not serve the purpose of the writ of habeas corpus to ascertain their safety and whereabouts.
In 2019, Nithyananda claimed he had set up a country named "United States of Kailasa". The website of the 'fake country' counts "two billion practising Hindus" among its population.
Nithyananda is wanted in India on several charges of rape and sexual assault, but he has denied the allegations.
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Maharashtra sets up state vaccination task force to strengthen immunisation programme
Mumbai (PTI): The Maharashtra government has set up a State Vaccination Task Force to strengthen the regular immunisation programme and review the progress of related campaigns, a health department official said on Monday.
The State Vaccination Task Force will comprise at least 29 members and will be headed by the administrative head of the health department, he informed.
The government has also constituted separate district-level and municipal vaccination task forces to improve implementation and address challenges at the grassroots level, he said.
Municipal task forces, chaired by respective civic commissioners, have been constituted in view of the vast urban population in Maharashtra and the role of civic bodies in implementing different health programmes.
The district-level task forces will function under the chairmanship of collectors.
"Complete immunisation of children at the appropriate age is an extremely simple, cost-effective and highly effective measure to reduce child mortality and the prevalence of diseases among kids. Immunisation is a powerful tool for reducing illness in children," maintained the official.
To ensure full vaccination of all children, the state government implements various campaigns from time to time as per the central government guidelines, he pointed out.
"Active participation and cooperation of other relevant government departments are essential (in making these campaigns successful)," according to the official.
The state-level body will review the regular immunisation programme, associated campaigns and vaccine-preventable diseases in detail. It will also conduct focused assessments of high-risk districts and municipal corporations, including vacancies at district, municipal and sub-district levels, availability of cold chain equipment, resource gaps and training requirements, he noted.
The state task force will review allocation and utilisation of funds for immunisation and ensure timely action by officers concerned based on reports from district and municipal task forces and state-level monitoring mechanisms, the official said.
It will also ensure active coordination and participation of other government departments in immunisation drives, while district and municipal task forces will carry out similar functions at their respective levels, the official added.
