Police arrest godman for s*xually assaulting minor girl in Andhra Pradesh

Visakhapatnam: A 63-year-old godman, Swami Poornananda, has been arrested by the police in Andhra Pradesh on charges of s*xually assaulting a minor girl for over two years at his ashram. According to sources, the victim, a 15-year-old orphan, reported the abuse and confinement to the authorities. She had been sent to the Swami Gnanananda Ashram Venkojipalem by her relatives after losing her parents at a young age. According to the victim's statement, Swamy would take her to his bedroom every night and r*pe her. She also endured physical torture and was chained in the bedroom for the past year. The victim managed to escape with the help of a domestic worker on June 13 and disclosed her ordeal to a fellow passenger on a train. Upon reaching the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), the girl revealed the s*xual and physical abuse she experienced at the ashram. A case was registered against Swami Poornananda under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The victim underwent a medical examination at Vijayawada Government Hospital. The accused, Swamy Poornananda, denied the allegations, claiming that they were part of a conspiracy by individuals seeking to acquire the ashram's land.