Yeshwantpur police on Saturday arrested a self-styled godman-cum-astrologer and his associate for allegedly assaulting a man who had filed a cheating case against them.
Ramananda Swamy, a resident of Thindlu in Vidyaranyapuram and Narayanaswamy were arrested based on a complaint filed by the latter’s son-in-law Srinivasa Naidu. Another accused Govindaraju is absconding.
Police said Naidu had married Narayanaswamy’s daughter Tulasi about 10 years ago and the couple did not have children. Narayanaswamy was very close to Ramananda Swamy, a BSNL employee, who runs Achala Ashram at Vidyaranyapuram. Narayanaswamy took the couple to Swamy seeking recourse for their childless marriage. After the couple met him five times, Tulasi reportedly became very close to Swamy. On noticing changes in her behaviour, Naidu questioned her fidelity. Later, Naidu allegedly threatened Swamy that he would file a police complaint accusing him of having a physical relationship with his wife and she being forced to have an abortion by him after a medical check-up.
Naidu had also approached a regional news channel to expose Swamy.
On Friday, Narayanaswamy, who learnt about this, asked Naidu to come to his house in Mathikere to discuss the issue. When Naidu reached, Narayanaswamy, Swamy and Govindaraju allegedly assaulted him, following which he lodged a complaint.