Madras High Court grants bail to self-styled godman Shiv Shankar Baba in sexual harassment case

Madras High Court has granted conditional bail to Shiv Shankar Baba, a self-styled godman in a sexual harassment case.

Madras High Court on Wednesday granted conditional bail to self-styled godman Shiv Shankar Baba in a sexual harassment case. Shiv Shankar Baba was booked by the police in 2021 for allegedly sexually harassing students at his educational institution, Sushil Hari International Residential School in Kelambakkam near Chennai.

Supreme Court which had earlier given conditional bail in the seven other cases against Shiv Shankar Baba had set certain conditions: He must not try to influence the victims or go to the premises of Sushil Hari International school.

Madras High Court while granting the conditional bail, upheld the conditions set by the Supreme Court and also directed Shiv Shankar Baba to submit his passport and co-operate with the investigation. He is also to inform the investigation officers prior if he is to travel out of the state.

Shiv Shankar Baba has been charged under Sections 354 (outraging a woman's modesty), 363 (kidnapping), 365 (wrongful consignment), 366 (kidnapping and forced or seduced to illicit intercourse), Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act, 2002 and sections 4, 8, 10, 12 and 17 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.