HC denies bail to "lustful Godman" Marthandam

CHENNAI, December 22: The Madras High Court has refused bail to Marthandam "Godman" John Joseph, his associates Santhana Rajan an...

CHENNAI, December 22: The Madras High Court has refused bail to Marthandam "Godman" John Joseph, his associates Santhana Rajan and Mariya John, arrested on September 5, 1997, on charges of murder and rape.

Justice M Karpagavinayagam, who refused bail to the three, however, granted bail to Rani alias Sahaya Rani Jebamani and Femi alias Wiselin Femina Rose.

John Joseph, the accused, used to compel his young women disciples to have sexual intercourse with minor boys by saying that "it is God’s will". He had also had intercourse with such young ladies stating that this would "cure brain fever". "If such things are allowed to happen, people in course of time will lose faith in spirituality. It is high time for the institution concerned to take suitable action against these persons, so that God will be saved from the so called Godly men", the judge observed.

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The judge noted that it is quite unfortunate to see that John Joseph, a Christian celibate, and one who had thousands of disciples all over Kanyakumari district, had coerced innocent minors to cohabit, and had himself fallen prey to lust.

The judge also rejected the contention of the petitioners that statements had been obtained from them and other witnesses under threat. "I have seen the video" (produced by the prosecution in the court). The answers given by the accused and other witnesses did not show any trace of fear, either in their faces or voices. They had given the answers without any reluctance or any inhibition, the judge pointed out.