In a shocking incident, a woman was gang-raped by several individuals including a priest at an ashram near a police station in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The woman has claimed that she has been a national level Taekwondo player. She has also been selected in fencing. A video related to the crime has also gone viral in which an old man is seen molesting the woman.
As per media reports, the alleged incident occurred in January, but the complaint was filed four months later.
As per the complaint filed with the police, the survivor, a resident of Govind Nagar, has been living in a rented room in Govind Nagar for the last 11 months. After the death of her mother, she makes a living by selling old clothes in the market on Tuesdays. While setting up the shop, she met a person named Govind Mahto from the area, who asked for Rs 4000 in exchange for setting up the shop. Mahto allegedly invited her to the ashram under the pretext of introducing her to influential people so that no one could remove her shop.
The woman alleged that after being offered a laddoo at the ashram, she lost consciousness and was subsequently gang-raped by Govind Mahto, and several others including temple priest.
When asked why she waited four months to file a report, the survivor said she feared retribution due to the accused men’s alleged political influence.
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) Mahesh Kumar confirmed that a complaint had been filed. “The woman approached the DCP with her complaint, which was handed over to me for investigation. A video has also been submitted, and we have visited the ashram room shown in it. We are examining all aspects and will take further action accordingly," Kumar said.
The ashram’s priests responded to the allegations by claiming they were in Prayagraj, attending the Kumbh at the time of the incident. They provided photos and videos as evidence to support their alibi, which are currently being examined by the police.
