Bangalore March 11: The Ramanagara district administration has served notice on the Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam near here, seeking an explanation from the sex scandal-tainted self-styled godman’s organisation on why action should not be taken against it for violating specific provisions of the Karnataka Land Reforms Act.

The self-styled godman Pramahamsa Nithyananda has been untraceable since last Tuesday when a Tamil TV news channel broadcast video footage showing him allegedly in a compromising position with a Tamil actress.

Speaking to Deccan Herald on conditions of anonymity, district administration sources said “someone on behalf of the organisation’s management received the notice” which has listed land-related violations by Nithyananda, who is the sole owner of over 21 acres of land in Hallegopahalli in Bidadi taluk, where his sprawling ashram is located.

Besides, the notice has also questioned the absconding Nithyananda why he chose to violate the law by constructing several buildings on agricultural land. Sources said the godman’s organisation cannot deny it has not undertaken construction activities on agricultural land.

At the same, time Nithyananda will also have to explain why he preferred not to take steps to convert the agricultural land. Pointing out that the land owned by Nithyananda, who is not a farmer and claims to be a religious and spiritual preacher, could face forfeiture, sources said an appropriate decision on that would be taken by the State government soon.

Details of a report sent by Ramanagara Deputy Commissioner G S Chandrashekharaiah to the Revenue and the Home departments, disclosing the status of the land in Nithyananda’s possession was pusblished by Deccan Herald on Wednesday.

Efforts to reach the Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam for its version failed since the phone lines were not functional.

TN police yet to transfer case

Tamil Nadu police have not yet transferred the case related to Nithyananda, allegedly involved in a sex scandal, to Karnataka, Home Minister V S Acharya said on Wednesday.

Chennai police, on Sunday, had told the media that the video showing Nithyananda with Tamil actress Ranjitha was recorded at the godman’s ashrama in Bidadi. As Bidadi falls in the jurisdiction of Karnataka police, the case would be transferred to Karnataka. Acharya said the State government had not registered a case against Nithyananda.

DHNS