Nithyananda makes light of rape charges

Controversial godman Nithyananda held a press conference at his ashram near Bangalore today where he claimed that the sex scandal he is accused of is a case of "religious persecution." Last year, several channels in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu aired a video that they claimed showed Nithyananda in a compromising position with Tamil actor Ranjitha. He was granted bail in June last year after being arrested on charges that include rape and intimidation.