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Divine United Organization (DUO), a society registered in India with similar goals and values to the US organization Elan Vital Inc. (EVI), has initiated civil action against a former instructor accused of inappropriate sexual behavior more than twenty-five years ago.

The lawsuit, lodged in India’s Sub-Judge Court, in Patna, charges Jagdeo Upadhaya, a retired instructor of the former Divine Light Mission, with “inappropriate and tortuous behavior” and having breached his duty to the organization.

EVI spokesperson, Linda Gross, said DUO and other Elan Vital organizations around the world would not tolerate such behavior.
“If Upadhaya did this, then it is a terrible thing for the victims and a violation of our organization’s trust and decency - values for which we are respected worldwide," she said.

When the first of the alleged victims came forward in 1999, EVI immediately began inquiries. At the time, Upadhaya was living in retirement at a DUO ashram in Mehrauli, India. When confronted with the allegations, he left the ashram and has not been seen since.

The second alleged victim, claiming to have been abused by Upadhaya in 1976, contacted EVI in April 2001.
“In the absence of any criminal or civil action filed by the alleged victims, DUO resolved that pursuing Upadhaya through a civil action was the proper course of action,” Ms Gross said.Ends

Enclosed: background information
For more information, please contact Elan Vital Inc:
Tel: (818) 889 1193 ext. 145
Email: pr@elanvital.org