Doctor sues former 'guru' after giving away all his possessions

A formerly wealthy doctor, Dr Yehu Azaz, is suing a spiritual healing centre for millions of pounds after claiming he was influenced by a guru into giving away all his money.

Dr Azaz, 50, gave up his medical career in 1991 and spent the next 12 years as a member of the Self Realization Meditation Healing Centre, in the village of Queen Camel, near Yeovil in Somerset. In 1992, he and his then wife Lizanne donated all their money, assets and possessions - worth around £750,000 - to the Centre.

Dr Azaz, who has now returned to the medical profession, has gone to the High Court to try and claw back his fortune as well as seek recompense for loss of earnings while not working professionally.



He claims he was "unduly influenced" into giving away his money by the founder of the spiritual centre, Rena Denton - also known as Mata Yogananda Mahasaya Dharma. The doctor argues that he believed his possessions were only on loan and would be returned to him if he left the Centre.

As well as asking for the money, Dr Azaz is suing for alleged breach of contract and "personal injury", which includes his lost earnings while he worked at the Centre for little or no pay. If successful, his lawyers say he could be in line for millions of pounds.

But Mrs Denton, 78, and the centre insist Dr Azaz acted of his own free will and that it is too late to sue or to reclaim gifts he made more than 15 years ago.