T

he Anand Ashram foundation has formally denied allegations that its leader Anand Krishna sexually harassed his female disciples using hypnosis, saying that Anand was not capable of performing it.

They also said Anand was ready to file a counterclaim with the police if an amicable ending was not achieved.

"What he does *during training* are self-empowering *sessions*, exercised using relaxation and affirmation *methods*," Maya Safira Mochtar, the head of the foundation, said at a press conference in Jakarta on Saturday.

Two of Anand's students, Tara Pradipta Laksmi and Sumidah, have pressed sexual harassment charges against the spiritual guru, claiming they were in a state of unconsciousness when the incidents took place.

Maya rejected the allegations. "There has never been any brainwashing or hypnosis. Facilitators could not do their jobs if they were under hypnosis," she said.

The case came to public attention when Tara claimed she had been sexually harassed by her teacher at Anand's training house several months ago. Tara, now 19, claimed that she had been a minor at the time of the incident.

Sumidah, a former therapist at a spa and beauty center belonging to Anand, also said she had been sexually abused several times.

Maya acknowledged that Anand Ashram incorporated massages.

"But the room where such activity took place is not private, so sexual harassment could not happen there," she added.

Besides, she said, Sumidah was not the only therapist there.

"There were many other therapists who massaged not only Anand Krishna but others."

Darwin Aritonang, a lawyer for Anand, also rebuffed the plaintiffs' accusations.

He said, "All of those who meditate at Anand Ashram have come at their own will; therefore *the plaintiffs'* accusations of brainwashing or hypnotizing are not true."

He also said neither Tara's nor Sumidah's statements had provided enough evidence of obscene conduct on Anand's part.

"Neither Tara nor Sumidah can prove that his actions took place when they were minors. Tara is now 19 . and Sumidah is 30," he added.

Darwin said Anand sought an amicable ending to the case, but was considering filing a counterclaim with the police.

He added that he had new evidence for the police.

Tara's lawyer, Theresia Purba, said her client was ready to face Anand's counterclaim.