Don’t mean to be pessimistic but what about the fact that, other than in France, cults are not considered illegal, and from a strictly legal standpoint, exactly what law would Rawat have broken other than tax evasion?   Exactly what could a court penalize him or reproach him for? 

Wouldn’t most judges just view an ex-follower having a grievance against Rawat’s deception with mere “not his fault you were a sucker”.   Or is there a law that states claiming divinity and telling people to come with devotion, dedication and provide service to him and his work with regular financial support is a crime punishable by fines, paybacks, retributions and/or jailtime?  i.e. is bakti yoga a crime?  Is the master guilty of a crime or are his followers just hoodwinked?

Back to Indian roots, what about Shri Hans claiming satguruship without the blessings of his guru?  Is that considered an illegality?  And if Prem’s older brother Satpal’s sect is considered legal, could this be contended in India’s courts as a result of the former?  And if Prem’s sect is considered illegal therefore, what would Prem’s sentence or fine be?

Back here in the real world, in the end who has the $$, strong legal support, and the nothing-left-to-lose preparedness against smearing, to stand up to Rawat’s cagey legal team in a western court?  Against something that is, bottom-line, not in violation of any specific law?

I think exes would have a little more to stand on if tax evasion were the issue brought to court.    Think, Al Capone, but even then, it would have to be he/she who has nothing to lose – but money that is, and lots of it.