Charges Against Guru of Unlawful Flight Dropped : Case Against 6 Disciples Is Upheld

A federal magistrate dismissed unlawful flight charges against Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh today, but upheld charges against six disciples accused of harboring a fugitive.

Magistrate Barbara Delaney continued hearing testimony this afternoon on whether to grant bail to Rajneesh while he awaits trial on federal immigration charges, including the alleged arrangement of sham marriages.

The unlawful flight charge was not necessary because “a federal criminal warrant can be served anywhere in the United States,” Delaney said.

“The judge just decided there was a legal deficiency in the charge,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Weaver of Oregon, who urged the magistrate to order Rajneesh held without bond.

The 53-year-old Rajneesh, who has been held in jail since Monday, arrived today at the Federal Building wearing a tan-and-brown robe and knitted cap, with shackles binding his wrists and waist.

‘Precise Information’

Delaney upheld charges of harboring a fugitive against six Rajneeshees arrested with the guru early Monday at an airport in Charlotte, saying Rajneesh’s attorney, Peter Schey, apparently had “precise information.”

“He knew there was an indictment and immediate plans to take the Bhagwan into custody,” she said. “The planes left with very little notice and they learned their destination at the time of takeoff.”

She described the six as the guru’s closest caretakers, who left India with him in 1981 “under somewhat similar circumstances,” and noted that all seven people on the planes carried passports and more than $58,000 in cash.

She described the great secrecy at the private aviation terminal where the government contends disciples were trying to charter or buy an airplane to take the guru out of the country.

“All these events started to occur very quickly once the sealed indictments were returned,” she said. “I may lead a sheltered life, but I think it’s an extraordinary effort to buy a plane.”

Says He’s on Vacation

Rajneesh was arrested Monday when two jets chartered by his followers landed at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport. Officials said Rajneesh was fleeing federal indictments, but the guru said he was only taking a vacation.

Rajneesh was indicted in Oregon on charges that he and his followers covered up sham marriages between his American followers and foreigners who came with him to the United States. He also is charged with lying to the Immigration and Naturalization Service to conceal his intent to remain permanently in the United States.

In urging Rajneesh’s release pending his trial, defense attorney Swami Prem Niren said fleeing the charges was against Rajneesh’s own teachings of taking responsibility for one’s actions.

Niren also noted that he and other disciples cooperated fully when the government investigated allegations that former Rajneeshees embezzled more than $40 million, planned to poison the water supply in nearby towns, planned to assassinate public officials and tried to poison two of the current defendants.