A man who identified himself as "God on earth" is facing an £8 million lawsuit from former devotees of his temple, who allege he sexually assaulted them.
Rajinder Kalia, 68, is accused of targeting four women and girls as young as four while leading a temple in Coventry, UK, associated with an obscure branch of Hinduism called Baba Balak Nath.
The High Court heard that Kalia began his spiritual teachings in the UK after surviving a motorbike accident in India and making a miraculous recovery following a visit to Himachal Pradesh, a region linked to the Hindu deity Baba Balak Nath.
Starting his own temple in 1986, Kalia allegedly exploited his followers, convincing them he was an incarnation of God or divine, and exerted "undue influence" over them, allegedly groping and raping them.
Mark Jones, representing the claimants, described the case as unusual, where Kalia allegedly manipulated his followers over decades with his charismatic and forceful personality, portraying himself through supposed miracles.
One woman tearfully recounted being raped over 1,320 times in 22 years since joining the church as a single mother. She claimed Kalia justified his actions as similar to those enjoyed by the Hindu deity Krishna.
Another alleged victim stated Kalia began abusing her at age 13 and took her virginity at 21 in a hotel she booked under threat of acid attack after she went to the police. She was later wrongly arrested for child abuse.
A third woman claimed Kalia groped her from age 13 and took her virginity, while a fourth alleged she was kissed inappropriately from the age of four.
Others claimed they were financially exploited, including one devotee who paid £5,000 to supposedly cure her dog's cancer.
Kalia, who resides in a £1.1 million mansion with his wife, denies all allegations.
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