Chennai: Officials of Nithyananda Ashram, which was in the eye of a storm after its founder was allegedly caught on camera indulging in a sleazy act, today dismissed as ''morphed'', the Swamiji's image shown along with a Tamil actress in a compromising position.

Addressing a hurriedly convened press conference here, Ashram Advocate M Sridhar and Administrative Officer Athma Prabhananda claimed ''The images shown on the TV are not those of Swami Nityananda.''

They claimed there was a previous enemity between the TV Channel and Swamiji after the latter declined to write a column for Tamil Magazine ''Kungumam'' owned by the TV network.

''It's part of a larger conspiracy to defame the Swamiji. These are morphed images and we cannot say anything more now,''they said, adding, the Ashram had already moved the City Civil Court seeking a direction to restrain the TV channel from telecasting the video visuals allegedly involving the Swamiji.

To a question, they said the Swamiji was taking part in Kumbh Mela in Varanasi or Puri. ''He will soon arrive and address a press conference and clear all your doubts'', they added.

Asked whether the actress, shown in the video, was close to the Swamiji, they said several visited the Mutt to seek his blessings.
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