Self-styled 'God on earth' used disciple's daughters for sex and treated them as slaves, court hears

A self-styled 'God on earth' who is being sued for £8million was today accused of using a disciple's daughters for sex and treating them as slaves. 

Rajinder Kalia, 68, is accused of grooming members of his temple while subjecting women and underage girls to sexual abuse. 

Mr Kalia, head priest at a Hindu-based temple in Coventry, is disputing the claims against him saying they are part of a financially motivated conspiracy. 

He is head of the Sidh Baba Balak Nath Ji Society of Coventry, a religious organisation which professes the founding principles of the Hindu religion. 

Mr Kalia is facing civil hearing at the High Court involving multiple alleged victims seeking compensation.

Sukhdev Kaur, along with daughters Mandeep and Harprit Dilbeher, have waived their anonymity in the case.

Ms Kaur told the court: 'I came to explain to the judge what [Kalia] has done to my two daughters. He assaulted them and had sex with my daughters.'

Sarah Crowther, KC, representing Mr Kalia, said Mandeep had said in her witness statement that she had not gone to the temple very often after she reached the age of ten.

Ms Kaur replied: 'She did go with me when she was she was young. When she was older that was her choice.'

Ms Kaur claimed Mr Kalia had told them 'not to rely on family' and ordered temple-goers not to communicate with each other.

She told the court she never spoke about Mr Kalia with her daughters.

'We would talk to each other about other things but not about him. We were not allowed to talk at all. He has his own rules. No one can do anything without his permission.'

Ms Crowther pointed out that there had been singing and dancing at the temple.

Ms Kaur replied: 'People would sing and dance on their own but not communicate with each other.

'He made us slaves. We were slaves to him. We were nothing. He used my daughters for sex. He assaulted them without asking them.'

Ms Crowther asked Ms Kaur if she had ever suspected that Mr Kalia was sexually abusing girls.

'You didn't see any signs of this kind of behaviour?'

Ms Kaur replied: 'No. I have to live with this until the day I die. I trusted him. I didn't think he would do such a thing.'

Ms Kaur claims the Hindu priest also took advantage of her financially as she paid him a total of £338,000 in donations and for him to visit to India.

'He was our guru. We have to go through him to connect with God.'

Ms Crowther told her: 'He said donate what you can afford. Not go into debt... He didn't have to say it'.

The hearing in front of Mr Justice Martin Spencer continues.