KANPUR: On the complaint of a couple, the Kidwainagar Nagar police in Kanpur on Tuesday booked mahamandaleshwar of a Haridwar ashram and his disciple for allegedly raping and forcibly keeping their daughter in the ashram on the pretext of giving her "deeksha".
The couple had on Monday appealed to the members of the State Women’s Commission for justice.
On Tuesday, a case was lodged following a complaint by the couple against both the mahamandaleshwar and his disciple at Kidwainagar police station under sections of rape, sexual harassment and intimidation.
A police team will soon reach the ashram to investigate the case.
"An FIR has been registered against mahamandaleshwar and his disciple for rape, sexual harassment and intimidation. Police will soon go to their ashram and investigate. Further action will be taken on the basis of evidence," said Alok Singh, ACP Babupurwa.
The Kidwainagar couple has accused the mahamandaleshwar and his disciple of brain-washing their daughter with the help of black magic, taking her away along with them and keeping her in the ashram.
During the public hearing at Asha Jyoti Kendra at the GT Road on Monday, the couple had appealed to the members of the State Women Commission by giving an application in this regard.
The police commissioner had given the investigation of the case to ACP Babupurwa.
The couple had told the State Commission for Women member Poonam Kapoor that their family had been involved in the events of this ashram in Haridwar for the past six years.
After studying from Benagluru, their daughter also came in contact with the mahamandaleshwar whose disciples started inviting her to the events.
It is alleged that after coercing her with black magic, he kept her in the ashram itself. For the past two years, their daughter has been in Haridwar ashram.
It is also alleged that when they went to the ashram in Haridwar, they were not allowed to meet their daughter and instead were threatened with dire consequences. "We have directed the police commissioner to investigate the matter and take suitable action," stated Poonam Kapoor while talking to mediapersons.
(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault)
