The Queen and the 'cult leader': Bollywood choreographer who is facing allegations of grooming and sexual exploitation meets Her Majesty at Buckingham Palace reception
Daily Mail, UK/March 3, 2017
By Rory Tingle
A 'cult leader' facing allegations of grooming and sexual exploitation has met the Queen at a reception in Buckingham Palace.
Bollywood choreographer Shiamak Davar, 55, met the monarch at an event to promote ties between Britain and India.
He faces two civil court hearings to defend himself against allegations of 'sexual, financial and spiritual control' and 'grooming to manipulate into sexual submission'.
These allegations, which Davar calls 'completely false', were made by two former members of his dance ensemble.
After his visit to Buckingham Palace, Davar tweeted a photo of him with the monarch.
He said: 'Making memories is what life is made of. Meeting Her Majesty is a memory that I'll fondly remember always.' Davar says he is the 'custodian' of VRRP Spiritual Group.
VRRP follows the teachings of Khorsheed Bhavnagari, who wrote The Laws of the Spirit World, in which she claimed her two dead sons communicated with her.
Critics allege Davar became the spiritual leader of the 'sect' - as it is described in court papers - after Bhavnagari's death in 2007.
Percy Shroff, 42, and Jimmy Mistry, 35, separately claim they endured years of unwanted sexual touching at the hands of Davar. They want damages for psychological injuries.
And they allege he abused his authority as their spiritual leader to control all aspects of their lives.
In his claim form, Mistry accused Davar of 'sexual grooming', 'sexual advances' and 'sexual, financial and spiritual control'.
Separately, Shroff claimed Davar was guilty of 'sexual grooming', 'sexual harassment', 'spiritual control' and making 'sexual demands'. Both men have claimed VRRP was a 'cult'.
The court hearings are set to be heard at the Supreme Court of British Columbia next month.
Davar's lawyer told Ben Rossington of The Mirror in a statement: 'At no time did he misuse or abuse his position in the dance company and/or perceived position in the spiritual group.'
The Shiamak Davar dance company of 30 dancers performing a medley of Hindi films during the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's visit to India.
The British Council, which hosted the UK/India 2017 Year of Culture event, said Davar was not on its list of invitees.
MailOnline has contacted Davar's representatives for comment.
