Cult leader Rajinder Kalia set to face trial over allegations of ‘rape of four female devotees’

Kalia denies all wrongdoing and says the allegations are ‘baseless’.

• Chandrashekar Bhat
• 20 June, 2022

By: Chandrashekar Bhat

Rajinder Kalia, a cult leader facing the accusation of raping his four women devotees, has failed in his attempt to get the case dismissed.

Kalia, 65, is believed to have groomed worshippers as young as four at the Baba Balak Nath temple in Bell Green, Coventry. He allegedly influenced his devotees into believing that he was an incarnation of God who was “all-powerful, all-seeing and all-knowing”.

The guru, who reportedly wanted to be regarded as a “healer and miracle worker”, is also accused of telling his followers to launch an “onslaught of harassment” against members of the temple who spoke out against him.

According to a Times report, the multimillion-pound civil case alleged Kalia had claimed to be “to be divine, to have a direct link to and regularly to speak with God, or manifestations of God”.

When the case came up for hearing last month, Kalia, who was represented by Sarah Crowther QC, sought to get the claim dismissed saying that accusations against him were “vague and unwieldy”.

But deputy master Grimshaw said he was not satisfied with the argument that the “allegations are bound to fail and have no real prospect of success” and ruled that the case could proceed.

The judge, however, said he had “serious reservations as to whether the claimants will succeed on the undue influence claims.”

It was agreed the women, who are no longer members of the temple, will submit an amended claim.

The case will now proceed in the High Court and the next hearing is scheduled for September 9.

The cult leader who had followers from places as far as Glasgow reportedly wanted his devotees, including women, to trust only him.

He also told them in sermons that “those in the outside world are evil and to be avoided”.

Money came to Kalia from his worshippers who would pay him around £12,000, according to Mail Online.

The guru, who lived in a gated home in Ryton-on-Dunsmore, Rugy, Warwickshire, denied any wrong-doing, the report said.