In Karnataka, the self-styled godman, Nithyananda has moved the Karnataka High Court to quash the FIR lodged against him. Chief Minister Sadanand Gowda had ordered a probe against the religious head after several allegations of sexual abuse were reported by former devotees of the ashram. The police had lodged the FIR and search is on to arrest the controversial godman. However Nityananda remains missing 24 hours after the Karnataka police launched a manhunt for him. On June 8, the police had lodged criminal cases against Nithyananda and his followers for allegedly assaulting a mediaperson during a press conference at his ashram. Armed with the directions of the Chief Minister to take custody of the ashram, the district administration is already gearing up to take inventory of articles at the Dhyanapeetham ashram spread over 22 acres of land in Bidadi near Bangalore.Nithyananda is also facing criminal charges, including rape, after a number of complaints were filed against him in 2010 following telecast by a local TV channel of his purported videos in a compromising position with an actress. Nithyananda was arrested and later released on bail.””