Swami Nithyananda - one of many self-styled Indian "godmen" with thousands of followers and a chequered past - is wanted by police for alleged rape, sexual abuse, and abduction of children.

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has dismissed an appeal filed by self-proclaimed godman Nithyananda seeking his appointment as head of three mutts in Nagapattinam and Tiruvarur districts.