Bangalore, May 13 (DC): The main witness in controversial ‘godman’ Nithyananda Swami’s cases — Tamil actress Ranjitha —also seems to have changed her advocate. The CID, which is probing the cases against Nithyananda, received a notice from the second advocate of the Tamil actress.

This time, Sudha Ramalingam, an advocate from Chennai, has written to the CID stating that the latter has violated a CrPC rule by issuing a notice to her client. Section 160 of CrPC states that the police should question a women witness only at her home.

“When a team went to Ranjitha’s known residential address, the house was locked. It has been locked from the time the footage where she was allegedly seen with Nithyananda was aired on TV channels,” a senior officer said. “The advocate sent the letter even as we were expecting the Delhi advocate would reveal the actress’ whereabouts so that we could take her statement. The second advocate is from Chennai and we have replied stating that a team will visit Ranjitha’s house once we know about her whereabouts,” the officer said.

Initially, Delhi based law firm PM Law Chambers’ advocate Prashant Mendiratta had approached the CID. The law firm had also issued a press statement raising questions over the authenticity of the tape. Through the advocate Ranjitha has also said she would sue Google, YouTube and their associated websites for committing defamatory offences under IPC and also for offences under the IT Act.

“Ranjitha’s statement is crucial in the case. We have been looking forward for her reply so that the statement can be recorded. We don’t know if she has two advocates or has a new advocate,” an officer said.