BishopAccountability.org
 
  Swami Attorneys Press Court to Consider Lie Detector Test

KXAN

October 2, 2008

http://www.kxan.com/Global/story.asp?S=9109786&nav=menu73_2_9

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) - Attorneys for the swami of the Barsana Dham temple are urging a Hays County judge to consider new evidence they say clears their client of charges that he committed acts of indecency with a child.

Prakashanand Saraswati, the founder of the Barsana Dahm temple in Hays County, was arrested in April at Dulles Airport and charged with 20 counts of indecency with a child. Saraswati, frequently referred to as Shree Swamiji, is accused of groping two underage girls on multiple occasions between 1993 and 1996 at his Hays County temple. Saraswati and his lawyers deny the charges.

Saraswati is free on bail, awaiting trial. Back in August, however, a Hays County judge denied Saraswati access to his own temple. Attorney Stanley Schneider, who represents Saraswati, filed a motion with a Hays County court on Monday, noting that Saraswati had passed a lie detector test administered by Eric J Holden, one of the foremost polygraph examiners in the country.

According to the motion, Holden asked Saraswati twice if he touched the girl's breast and he replied "no." The test indicated he was truthful.

"We believe 100 percent that he is innocent and we look forward to the next court date," said Jaresha Auxier. a follower at the Barsana Dham Temple.

Attorneys want the judge to allow the polygraph to be entered as evidence and consider granting Saraswati visitation rights to the Barsana Dham. His followers say their leader has been gone too long. Saraswati established the temple in 1990. It's now one of the largest in North America.

"It's hurtful and we miss him," said Auxier. "He's allowed to go to any temple in the whole world except for the one that he built here and we look forward to that day where his name is cleared and the facts are represented in court."

Saraswati's next court date is November 12. At that time, his attorneys say they will argue for his right to associate with others and free worship. Both rights have been violated, they said.

 
 

Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.