36-Year-Old Sadhvi Gang-Raped at Gunpoint in Jharkhand Ashram, Prime Accused Arrested

Notably, the woman hails from Dhanbad and had come to the ashram from Varanasi in February to attend a religious gathering

In a shameful incident, a 36-year-old sadhvi (Hindu nun) was allegedly gang-raped by 4 men at gunpoint inside an ashram in Jharkhand’s Godda district late on Monday night.

The incident happened around 2 am on Monday when four armed men scaled Mahila Satsang Ashram’s boundary wall and held all the residents hostage in separate rooms. They then took the woman to another room and raped her in turns.  One sadhu was brutally beaten up when he protested.

Narrating the incident, the sadhu told Hindustan Times, “Four armed men entered the ashram on Monday night. When I tried to stop them, they beat me and locked me up in a room. They also locked four other sadhvis in separate rooms. We also took the victim into our room. But, they dragged her out and locked me from outside.”

So far, one accused has been arrested, while the other three are still on the run, according to Superintendent of Police (SP) YS Ramesh. The police official also said that the incident which took place on the night of September 7 is being investigated at a fast pace.

Jharkhand: A woman allegedly gang-raped at an ashram in Gooda on September 7. YS Ramesh, SP says, "Deepak Rana, prime accused in the case, has been arrested; efforts on to nab the other accused. Further probe underway. " pic.twitter.com/Z3D0OoObqk

— ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2020

“On the night of September 7, we got information regarding rape with a sadhvi at an ashram which comes under the jurisdiction of the Muffasil police station. Taking action the police team has arrested one accused Deepak Rana, he has many previous criminal charges against him,” the Superintendent of Police told reporters.

Deepak, who also has a criminal past, has confessed to his involvement in the crime, the police claimed.

While the police are still investigating the crime, locals allege a land dispute could have triggered the incident, Times of India reported.

Notably, the woman hails from Dhanbad and had come to the ashram from Varanasi in February to attend a religious gathering, but couldn’t return due to the lockdown. She has demanded capital punishment for the accused.

Chief Minister Hemant Soren too had urged the Deputy Commissioner, Godda to take strict action in connection with the incident.