Indian guru convinced 400 to cut off their own testicles for God

Indian religious 'guru' Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh convinced 400 of his followers to cut their own testicles off in order to bring themselves 'closer to God' according to a report.

The International Business Times reports that the incident took place in 2000 at a hospital Ram Rahim runs in India - though it only recently came to light.

India's Central Bureau of Investigation is investigating  Ram Rahim for causing grievous bodily harm.

"They were told that only those who get castrated will be able to meet God," said lawyer Hans Raj Chauhan, representing one of the guru's victims.

According to the report the guru's new movie, Messenger of God, in which he walks on air, and tears tree trunks in half, has suffered in the box office due to these revelations.

Gurus make a lot of money in India, and Ram Rahim is no exception. The  "guru in bling" is estimated to be worth about R470 million.