The Madras High Court, on Wednesday, restrained the self-styled godman Nithyananda from functioning as head for four Mutts in Tamil Nadu.

According to the case, Nithyananda filed a suit before the Nagapattinam sub-court seeking a declaration from it that he was the head of these Mutts and that Athmananda and others were non-trustees.

When the case came up for hearing, Justice R. Shivakumar also stayed further proceedings in a suit pending before the Principal Sub-Court in Nagapattinam with regard to Nithyananda’s properties there.

The court has also issued a notice to Nithyananda to file his returns by March 14.

In his petition, Athmananda claimed that Nithyananda had approached them and provided false assurance that he would improve the four Mutts.

But under the guise of making a donation of Rs 2 crore to the Mutts, Nithyanananda filed a suit as if he was the administrator and tried to grab the properties.