CHENNAI: Self-styled godman Premananda, convicted for rape and murder, died at a private hospital here on Monday.
The 60-year-old Premananda, serving a double life term for rape and murder at his ashram in Tiruchirappalli in the early 90s, was not keeping well for some time and had been admitted for a liver transplant, police said.
A controversial figure, the Sri Lankan born self-styled godman had moved to India in the early 80s and established an ashram at Tiruchirappalli. Some Tamil films also had characters loosely based on him.
His devotees had claimed he had been framed and had even launched campaigns, seeking justice for him.