May 25 (UPI) -- A Los Angeles judge issued an arrest warrant for Bikram Choudhury, the founder of Bikram hot yoga, after he defied court orders over a sexual harassment lawsuit and fled the country.
Bail has been set at $8 million.
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A Los Angeles judge issued an arrest warrant for Bikram Choudhury (L), the founder of hot yoga, after he defied court orders related to a sexual harassment lawsuit by a former employee. Photo by Laju Choudhury/Facebook
Choudhury, 70, was sued by his former legal counsel, Minakshi Jafa-Bodden, who alleged he sexually harassed her, threatened her and ultimately fired her when she would not help him cover up rape allegations by a yoga student. Choudhury was ordered to pay a $7 million judgment to Jafa-Bodden last year.
Instead, Choudhury fled the country and hid assets from the court in an attempt to avoid payment, Jafa-Bodden's lawyer said. A judge agreed Wednesday, finding Choudhury in contempt of court. In lieu of the $7 million, the judge has given Jafa-Bodden control of Choudhury's yoga empire and physical assets, including his fleet of dozens of luxury cars and jewelry.
Choudhury is living and teaching in Mexico, where the arrest warrant was served. He has denied any wrongdoing.
Choudhury has been the subject of six different assault and rape allegations. Three cases have been settled out of court and three remain unresolved.
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He invented the hot yoga routine bearing his name, during which students perform a scripted 26 yoga poses over 90 minutes while inside a room heated to 105 degrees, a fitness routine that has gained worldwide acclaim for its intensity.
