Bikram yoga founder ordered to pay £4.5 MILLION damages after sex harassment claims
THE founder of Bikram yoga has been ordered to pay around £4.5million in damages to a former employee he allegedly sexually harassed.
Bikram Choudhery has been ordered to pay £4.5million in damages
Bikram Choudhury was described by the alleged victim as “a dangerous, dangerous predator”.
Lawyer Minakshi Jafa-Bodden also claims she was fired by the yoga guru after investigating a previous claim of rape made against him.
It comes just 24 hours after he was ordered to pay an initial £650,000 to Ms Jafa-Bodden.
Bikram yoga founder Bikram Choudhury
Speaking after the punitive damages were awarded, she said: "I feel vindicated, I'm elated.”
Mr Choudhury and his solicitor refused to comment after the jury’s decision.
Yoga enthusiasts in a Bikram gym
Ms Jafa-Bodden is the seventh woman to sue him for alleged sexual harassment or assault.
Her solicitor Carla Minnard called Choudhury’s behaviour “despicable, inappropriate and illegal”.
The eccentric businessman denied all the allegations during the trial.
Bikram Choudhury claimed he had no money left during the trial
He said: “I don't do that, I don't have to.”
Speaking about his once wildly popular yoga business, he claimed it no longer made him much money.
Bikram Yoga - Hot Yoga in a 105 degree room
Mr Choudhury added: “I have to borrow money from my family and friends to pay the bill. I have no money.”
But he did admit to keeping a fleet of 40 luxury cars, including Bentleys, Ferraris and Rolls-Royces.