Inmates Accuse Ashram Head Of Rape

Basti (UP): Two 'sadhvis' have accused four babas, including the head of an ashram, for allegedly raping them at the ashram in Uttar Pradesh's Basti district, the police said.

An FIR was lodged on Wednesday evening against six persons -- the head of Sant Kutir ashram, Sachidanand alias Dayanand, Param Chetanand, Vishwas Nand, Gyan Vairagyanand as well as two women. A search is on for the six, all of whom are absconding. The two 'sadhvis', who had joined the ashram in 2008, alleged they were assaulted by the head priest and his three colleagues with the help of the two women associates, at the Sant Kutir ashram here, about 200km from Lucknow, said Sankalp Sharma, superintendent of police (SP).

Police have interrogated the manager of the ashram, which has its main branch in Delhi. The 'sadhvis', who belong to Chhattisgarh, have been sent for medical test, the SP added.

PTI