In court, it was revealed that a religious figure who proclaimed himself as a ‘living god’ engaged in sexual activities with one of his disciple’s daughters and subjected them to servitude.
Rajinder Kalia, the head priest at a temple in Coventry, allegedly manipulated members of his temple into believing that he is the ‘reincarnation of God’ while mistreating young girls.
Accusations from four women include sexual abuse, with three additional women stating financial exploitation.
The 68-year-old, head priest at a temple in Coventry, disputes the allegations against him, claiming they are part of a plot motivated by financial gain.
He heads the Sidh Baba Balak Nath Ji Society of Coventry, a religious group upholding the fundamental teachings of the Hindu faith.
The case involves former follower Sukhdev Kaur and her daughters Mandeep and Harprit Dilbeher, who chose to be identified in connection with the case.
Ms. Kaur recounted in court, ‘I am here to explain to the judge the misdeeds of [Kalia] towards my daughters. He assaulted them and engaged in sexual activities with my daughters.
‘He enslaved us. We were mere subjects to him. He exploited my daughters sexually. He assaulted them without their consent.’
‘I trusted him. I never anticipated he would commit such acts.’
Sarah Crowther, KC, representing Mr. Kalia, mentioned that Mandeep stated in her testimony that she seldom visited the temple after she turned ten.
Ms. Kaur responded, ‘She accompanied me when she was young.’
Ms. Kaur alleges that the Hindu priest exploited her financially, having donated a total of £338,000 and paid for his trips to India.
‘He was our spiritual guide. Our connection with the divine had to pass through him.’
One accuser claimed to have experienced over 1,320 instances of sexual abuse in two decades, while another mentioned failing school exams due to childhood abuse.
Another victim disclosed losing her virginity in a rape incident in a Birmingham hotel, and the fourth victim asserted being inappropriately touched and kissed as early as age four, eventually being a victim of rape as an adult.
Ms. Kaur alleged that Mr. Kalia instructed them ‘not to depend on their families’ and instructed attendees not to communicate with each other at the temple.
She added that she never conversed about Mr. Kalia with her daughters.
‘We communicated on other topics but not about him.
‘We were prohibited from communicating. He dictated his own rules. No action could be taken without his approval.’
Ms. Crowther highlighted that there was singing and dancing at the temple.
Ms. Kaur responded, ‘People sang and danced individually without interacting.’
Ms. Kaur mentioned the financial exploitation, donating £338,000, and the need to pass through him for spiritual connection.
‘He directed us to contribute within our means, not to go into debt… He didn’t need to specify.’
The court session is ongoing.
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