Followers ‘told What To Say’ (Press, 15 June 1988)
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Summary: Followers ‘told What To Say’ (Press, 15 June 1988)
In a trial taking place at the High Court in Wellington, the principal Crown witness, Mrs Roseanne Sich, provided testimony regarding the leader of a Greytown commune, Amrit Lal Narain, who is facing 17 charges related to assaults and cruelty against two women, a man, and two children, all associated with the commune. The alleged incidents occurred between late 1983 and mid-1985. During cross-examination by Narain’s counsel, Mr John Gibson, Q.C., Mrs Sich, aged 26, asserted that commune members were conditioned to echo whatever Narain instructed them to say, reinforcing his position as their spiritual leader. Narain, aged 53, denies all charges against him. Mrs Sich, who left the commune in June 1985, firmly rejected claims made by Mr Gibson that she was expelled from the group along with her husband and another member, Ms Nell Armitt. She maintained that there was no directive from Narain expelling her or anyone else, stating, “I recall no such thing being said to me.” When questioned about her husband corroborating this claim, she declared, “I would say my husband is not telling the truth, he is lying.” Further, Mrs Sich expressed her unwavering belief in Narain’s philosophy, describing him as a guru, and insisted that she was never angry with him. She also refuted other allegations regarding her personal relationships within the commune, including claims of a lesbian relationship with Ms Armitt and any sexual involvement with Mr Jimmy Timu, asserting that he was not the father of her daughter. The trial, which is being adjudicated without a jury by Mr Justice Jeffries, is ongoing, as the court continues to hear evidence regarding the allegations against Narain, with Mrs Sich's testimony forming a significant part of the Crown's case.
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