Self-styled godman Falahari Maharaj was arrested on Saturday in Alwar, Rajasthan for allegedly raping a 21-year-old woman at his ashram last month. The police arrested him following three days of investigation.
NDTV reported that the 70-year-old godman had complained that his blood pressure was high and was therefore admitted to a hospital. However, this conveniently came soon after the victim filed a complaint against the godman.
Who is Falahari Maharaj?
Kaushalendra Prapannacharya Falahari Maharaj – popularly known as Falahari Baba because of his fruits-only diet – has built a strong following among people in India and abroad.
The Hindu reported that the victim’s family has been a staunch supporter of the godman for many years and have also made several hefty donations to his ashram.
70-year-old self-styled godman arrested for allegedly raping a law studenthttps://t.co/tLJ48DqcHX
— News18 (@CNNnews18) September 23, 2017
What happened?
According to reports, the 21-year-old law intern from Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur claimed that the godman had sexually assaulted her when she met him in his ashram. The woman alleged that he had raped her on August 7, which was celebrated as Raksha Bandhan.
In her complaint, the victim even pointed out that the godman’s recommendation helped her begin an internship under a senior Delhi-based lawyer. News18 reported that the victim had apparently gone to the ashram as her parents asked her to donate money as a mark of respect when the incident happened.
#Rajasthan‘s ‘Falahari’ Baba Held For Rape, Sent To 15-Day Judicial Custody https://t.co/Vx637ZfkOS pic.twitter.com/mqssTmKd4R
— Outlook Magazine (@Outlookindia) September 23, 2017
The woman claimed that she was asked to stay over at the ashram that night since it was grahan (lunar eclipse) on that day. Later, the self-proclaimed guru called her to his room and allegedly sexually assaulted her and asked her to keep mum, threatening her with dire consequences.
What’s happening now?
A case was registered against the godman on charges of rape and criminal intimidation after she told her parents about the episode.
The guru was arrested after a medical examination conducted on him, proving that his blood pressure and sugar was normal, police arrested the Baba on Saturday, NDTV reported. He has now been sent to 15 days in judicial custody.
Feature image source: Outlook/Twitter
