Self-proclaimed spiritual and yoga guru Anand Giri has been arrested in Australia’s Sydney for allegedly sexually assaulting two women during prayer meetings. Akhil Bhartiya Akhada Parishad’s president Narendra Giri has confirmed Anand Giri’s arrest on Sunday over alleged charges of sexual assault.
Anand Giri is a mahant at the famous Bade Hanuman temple in UP’s Prayagraj and also the Math Baghambri Gaddi. The 38-year-old is a self-proclaimed spiritual guru and yoga expert. According to his Facebook page, Swami Anand Giri aims to “serve others and somehow contribute to making this world a better place”. According to reports, the yoga guru also teaches as a guest lecturer at several universities and is part of several schools and college events that aim to guide the students on lessons of life.
While his personal website has been taken down, the International Yoga Festival site says Anand Giri has spent most of his early life in the Himalayas, taking lessons in yoga.
According to a report, Anand Giri assaulted a woman in 2016 at her residence in Rooty Hill of Sydney West, when he was attending a prayer meet. Australian police said Anand Giri assaulted the 29-year-old woman in her bedroom.
In the second incident, he assaulted a 34-year-old woman in November 2018. During a night-long prayer at her home, he made indecent advances towards her. He knew both the women while they were praying in the lounge, Sydney Police said.
Swami Anand Giri was arrested in Sydney during a spiritual tour for six weeks. He was supposed to fly back to India soon when he was arrested on May 5.
Giri got his spiritual calling at the age of 12, he claims on his social media page. He is a graduate and is currently pursuing his doctorate in Yoga Tantra, as per his website.
Giri was denied bail by Paramatta Court and remanded to further custody to reappear before Mt Druitt Local Court on June 26.
