Rape-accused Siddha Baba surrenders to court, sent to jail

BIRATNAGAR, March 3: Sunsari District Court Tuesday sent rape-accused Krishna Das Giri, popularly known as Siddha Baba, to jail after he surrendered himself to the Sunsari District Court.

Siddha Baba was sent to Jhumka Jail immediately after he presented himself at the court, according to acting registrar Nidhi Ram Dahal.

He had fled to India on Jan 23 when Biratnagar High Court was hearing his case.

Earlier, the district court had decided to release him on bail of Rs 3,00,000 stating that the rape charges against him could not be established. But the high court had revoked the district court’s verdict and ordered to send him to judicial custody.

Sunsari District Police had filed a case against the religious leader at the district on Dec 27 last year accusing him of raping a woman at his ashram on Oct 21.

Based on the complaint filed by the woman, the police had arrested Giri on Dec 2 from the Intensive Care Unit of Birat Nursing Home, and after recording his statement, was taken to the hospital again. According to the hospital, he was receiving treatment for chest and heart problems.

“Siddha Baba had gone to India for treatment. He presented himself before the court before the deadline,” his follower Bharat Sapkota told Reporters’ Club.

However, Giri has denied the charges.