Nithyananda’s Latest News: Death Rumors, Kailasa’s Response, and Legal Issues

Swami Nithyananda, the controversial self-proclaimed godman and founder of the so-called “Kailasa” nation, is once again in the news, this time due to widespread rumors about his death. Social media platforms have been flooded with unverified reports claiming that Nithyananda has passed away. However, official representatives of Kailasa have dismissed these claims, stating that he is alive and well.

Kailasa’s Official Statement

On April 1, 2025, Kailasa issued a press release categorically denying rumors of Nithyananda’s death. The statement, shared across multiple platforms, read:

“We categorically deny the false rumors being spread about our beloved Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism, Bhagavan Nithyananda Paramashivam. He is healthy, safe, alive, and active. These baseless claims are nothing but an attempt to defame our spiritual leader and mislead his devotees.”

The statement further clarified that Nithyananda will be making a public address on April 3, 2025, at 5:00 am IST and 4:30 pm IST to dispel any doubts. His followers are eagerly awaiting this appearance as proof of his well-being.

Origins of the Death Rumors

Speculation about Nithyananda’s death first emerged on social media, particularly on WhatsApp, Twitter, and Facebook. The rumors were fueled by a lack of recent public appearances, combined with the mysterious nature of his self-declared “Hindu sovereign nation” of Kailasa.

Given that the rumors surfaced on April 1, 2025, many now believe it may have been an elaborate April Fools’ Day hoax. Some fake news websites even ran articles with sensational headlines, further amplifying the misinformation.

However, the Kailasa administration has taken the rumors seriously and has warned against the spread of “malicious lies” that could harm Nithyananda’s reputation.

Who is Nithyananda? A Recap of His Controversial Past

Swami Nithyananda rose to fame in the early 2000s, attracting a large following due to his claims of supernatural powers and spiritual enlightenment. However, his reputation took a massive hit when legal troubles caught up with him.

• 2010 Sex Scandal: A leaked video allegedly showing him with an actress went viral, leading to his first major controversy. Though he denied the allegations, this scandal damaged his credibility.

• 2019 Criminal Charges: Nithyananda fled India in 2019 after being charged with rape, sexual assault, and illegal confinement of his followers. The Gujarat police filed a case against him for allegedly kidnapping children and forcing them to work in his ashram.

• Interpol Red Notice: Following his escape, Indian authorities sought his extradition, but his exact location has remained unknown. Interpol issued a Red Notice against him, yet there has been no confirmation of his whereabouts.

The Mystery of Kailasa

In 2020, Nithyananda declared that he had founded a new Hindu sovereign nation called “Kailasa” on an undisclosed island. According to its website, Kailasa is a spiritual and cultural haven for Hindus, offering citizenship and even issuing its own currency.

The so-called nation has made several international appearances, even sending representatives to the United Nations and various global forums, sparking debates about the legitimacy of its claims.

Despite requests from Indian authorities, there has been no confirmation about where Kailasa is actually located. It is rumored to be on an island off the coast of Ecuador, though no official records support this.

Current Legal Status

While Nithyananda continues to avoid extradition, Indian authorities have not given up efforts to bring him back to face trial. Multiple criminal cases remain open against him, including:

• Rape and sexual abuse charges in Karnataka and Gujarat

• Human trafficking allegations related to his ashram

• Land fraud and financial fraud cases

However, his followers maintain that these allegations are politically and religiously motivated attacks against a spiritual leader.