Man who claimed to be ‘living god’ accused of sexually abusing worshippers | UK News

A religious leader who claimed to be a “living god” has been accused of abusing and sexually harassing his followers, who say he is actually a “devil in disguise.”

Rajinder Kalia, the head priest of the Coventry temple, has been accused of telling members of his temple that he was an “incarnation of God” while molesting young girls.

Four women say they were victims of sexual harassment, and three more say they were financially exploited.

One alleged victim claims she was sexually abused more than 1,320 times over two decades, while another claims she was molested as a child, causing her to fail school exams.

A third woman claims her virginity was taken in a rape in a Birmingham hotel, while a fourth claims she was indecently cuddled and kissed when she was just four years old and her virginity was taken when she was a young adult.

Three other complainants claim they were victims of financial abuse that cost them hundreds of thousands of pounds while they were members of the community.

Mr Kalia, 68, has denied being a “fake guru” and said the accusations were part of a financial conspiracy.

The Supreme Court heard he claimed he could perform miracles, including setting water on fire and squeezing blood from lemons.

He is the leader of the Sidh Baba Balak Nath Ji Society in Coventry, which follows the basic tenets of the Hindu faith.

One of his accusers told the court she believed he was a devil who controlled his followers like “puppets on strings.”

She said, “He is not God incarnate, he is the devil.”

Mr Kalia began his ministry in 1983 after moving to the UK from India and claims to have experienced miracles as a teenager.

This includes the moment he was told he would never walk after a motorcycle accident, but also the moment he got back on his feet after visiting the Himachal Pradesh center of Baba Balaka Nath’s cult.

Barrister Sarah Crowther KC said: “He believes it was a miracle and that it strengthened his faith, particularly in the deity Baba Balak Nath.”

One woman said she was controlled by Mr Kalia during her childhood, even when she lived outside the UK.

She said, “The devil told me, Kalia, that I am not allowed to have any relationships.

“When I went to India, I felt like my every move was being watched. I was suspicious, I was scared.”

Speaking about the temple members who testified on his behalf, she said: “They are puppets on his string, but my string has been cut.

“They will do whatever he says, but he is not God. He is not God incarnate, he is the devil.”

Defence lawyer Mark Jones said Kalia’s alleged victims were “completely subordinated to the defendant’s charismatic and powerful personality”.

He found that the women who said they were sexually harassed by Mr Kalia were unable to give consent because of the influence he had over them and because they were minors.

The trial continues.

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