Swami Premananda - Originally from Sri Lanka, Swami Premananda (Nov. 17 1951 – Feb. 21 2011) was a controversial 'godman' who established his ashrams in Tiruchy. He amassed a huge number of followers and, subsequently, wealth in Tamil Nadu. He was given two consecutive life sentences for raping 13 girls in 1997. By the time he was convicted, his ashram had branches in UK, Belgium, Switzerland and many other countries. He died on February 21, 2011 in Cuddalore Central Prison.