Michael Dettmers, Former Personal Assistant to Prem Rawat Internet Revelations

Date: Mon, Dec 25, 2000 at 22:44:17 (GMT)
From: Patrick
Email: None
To: Michael Dettmers
Subject: Could you answer these questions please Michael?
Message:

In the early 80's, following a festival at the ashram outside of New Delhi, India, Maharaji and his motorcade were traveling from the ashram to the airport to board the 707 for America. Maharaji was driving the lead car and I was a passenger in the front seat of the car directly behind his. All of a sudden, I saw a man riding a bicycle pull out in front of Maharaji's car. Seconds later the man went flying several yards into the ditch. He died instantly. Randy Prouty, who was traveling as security in Maharaji's vehicle, frantically ran to the car I was in and instructed all of us to get out of the car and find a place in the other vehicles that were part of the motorcade. Maharaji and the people in his car quickly transferred to the car I was in, and we all sped to the airport. Sampurnanand stayed behind to deal with the situation which he did by having his houseboy take the wrap. In the investigation that ensued, the houseboy stating that he was the driver of the vehicle who hit the unfortunate cyclist. That explanation, plus a heft cash settlement to the victim's family, enabled Maharaji to quickly put the incident behind him so that he could get on with the business of bringing peace, love and joy to the rest of humanity.

I would like to ask you some questions regarding these allegations of yours, Michael.

1) Did Maharaji speak later to you or anyone else you know about this, if so what did he say?

2) What was his reaction to the death of this cyclist?

4) Do you know what happened to Sampurnanand's 'houseboy' in terms of retribution for his confessed part in this?

5) Was this matter discussed amongst 'Premies around Maharaji' at all? You were there and presumably the subject must have come up.

6) What were Maharaji and those premies involved so afraid would actually happen if Maharaji had confessed that he was driving - that was so worth this risky course of action?

I have never been to India and do not have any real idea of the way the law works there. Prior to his leaving the scene of the accident I would have supposed that Maharaji might have been judged merely to have been in a most unfortunate and regrettable accident which wasn't his fault. He would have clearly had a number of witnesses that would have been prepared to say that it was basically the cyclists' fault.

Presumably Maharaji and his cohorts thought that the scandal of his involvement in the accident would have been so damaging that it merited lying to avoid such an outcome.

Surely they would have known that lying about it in this manner would constitute an even worse scandal should someone decide to blow the whistle - as you have done?

Incidentally, had this incident occurred in England, I think that the law would have certainly held him partly responsible and he would have incurred some sort of punitive measure for driving without due caution, however negligent the actions of the cyclist. I am prepared to accept though that in India things are handled in a different manner.

7) What do you think we can expect Elan Vital's version of events to be, if they ever offer one? (In other words, what do you predict will be the sort of arguments for Maharaji's defence - that we may hear from him or premies?)

8) If they were to confess that the way it was handled was a mistake, how should they now rectify their mistake in your opinion?

9) Most premies I have spoken with regard this, at face value, as a regrettable mistake. They also feel that to confess as much, still leaves Maharaji's validity as The Master in matters of Knowledge intact.

What would be your comment on their opinion that as a Master he can make all these kinds of mistakes and still be trustworthy in matters of the heart?

Date: Tues, Dec 26, 2000 at 03:08:31 (GMT)
From: Michael Dettmers
Email: dettmers@gylanix.com
To: Patrick
Subject: Christmas Tidings
Message:

Patrick,

Here are my responses to your questions:

1) Did Maharaji speak later to you or anyone else you know about this, if so what did he say?

No. Once the matter was dealt with, the subject was never raised again, at least in my presence.

2) What was his reaction to the death of this cyclist?

Everyone, including Maharaji considered it to be an unfortunate accident.

3) Do you know what happened to Sampurnanand's 'houseboy' in terms of retribution for his confessed part in this?

I did not play a direct or indirect role in the settlement of this matter. The houseboy suffered no retribution that I am aware of. The Indian authorities accepted that it was an accident, and the family was satisfied with the cash settlement. With that, the case was closed.

4) Was this matter discussed amongst 'Premies around Maharaji' at all? You were there and presumably the subject must have come up.

Same response as my answer to your first question.

5) What were Maharaji and those premies involved so afraid would actually happen if Maharaji had confessed that he was driving - that was so worth this risky course of action?

Prior to this incident, Maharaji had had to deal with several problems with the Indian authorities. In 1972, there was the jewelry smuggling incident. Following the family split, BBJ launched several bogus legal cases against Maharaji that took four years to resolve. Consequently, Maharaji could not visit India between 1976 and 1980. Starting in 1980, Maharaji once again visited visit India two or three times a year. The unfortunate accident happened sometime in 1982 or 1983. Given his previous difficulties with the Indian authorities, Maharaji didn't want another scandal. Because corruption was so rampant in India at that time, Maharaji was confident that Sampurnanand could grease the right palms necessary to handle the matter, which he did.

6) What do you think we can expect Élan Vital's version of events to be, if they ever offer one?

In my post about this revelation, I prefaced it with my expression of disgust with the way Maharaji and Élan Vital handled the Jagdeo situation. My point was to give a concrete example of how Maharaji and his cohorts are capable of lying and covering up any situation that they feel may damage Maharaji's reputation. I found it particularly interesting that Randy Prouty was also a player in this situation as, I have no doubt, he was in the Jagdeo situation. I don't know what, if anything, Élan Vital will say about this matter, but judging from their FAQ's, I wouldn't expect anything that resembles the truth.

7) If they were to confess that the way it was handled was a mistake, how should they now rectify their mistake in your opinion?

Maharaji should rectify this and his other mistakes by addressing all of the people who have looked to him as a Lord, or Perfect Master, or simply as a teacher and admit that he is spiritually and morally bankrupt as well as an alcoholic in need of rehab. He should seek out Jagdeo's victims, personally apologize to them, and make restitution. He should also apologize for all of the confusion and suffering his illegal, unethical and hypocritical behavior have caused those sincere seekers of truth who came to him for spiritual solace and guidance. He should seek to recompense those families who have suffered financially because they gave him all or most of their money under false pretenses, even if he has to sell his GV and his yacht to do so. Finally, he should retire from the perfect master business altogether.

8) Most premies I have spoken with regard this, at face value, as a regrettable mistake. They also feel that to confess as much, still leaves Maharaji's validity as The Master in matters of Knowledge intact. What would be your comment on their opinion that as a Master he can make all these kinds of mistakes and still be trustworthy in matters of the heart?

I regard this incident as an unfortunate accident that could happen to anyone. In this instance, Maharaji was not drunk behind the wheel, but the fact is he left the scene of an accident in which he was the driver of a car that killed a man, and he conspired to cover up his complicity in the matter. This is just one example of many in which he has exhibited less than exemplary behavior. Given these facts, each person must decide for themselves if Maharaji possesses the moral and spiritual authority and integrity worthy of their love, trust and devotion, for that is what he demands. I, for one, cannot and I would strongly recommend that no one else place his or her trust in him either.

Michael