Padma Shri Awardee Monk Accused Of Rape And Forced Abortion By Bengal Woman

A renowned monk and Padma Shri recipient Kartik Maharaj has been accused by a woman of sexually assaulting her several times in 2013 on the pretext of offering her a job at a school. The spiritual leader, who is affiliated with the Bharat Sevashram Sangha and has reportedly maintained close ties with the BJP, has refuted the claims.

According to the woman's complaint, Maharaj took her to an ashram in Murshidabad, with the promise of employment at Chanak Adivasi Abasik Balika Vidyalay, which is a school run by the ashram. She stated that she was assured of a teaching position and that the monk even arranged for her to stay at the ashram, India Today reported.

However, she alleged the spiritual leader began sexually assaulting her shortly after her arrival. The woman claimed that the monk entered her room one night and forced himself on her. She claimed over a span of six months from January to June 2013, the monk raped her at least 12 times. 

"He would almost everyday take me to a room on the fifth floor of the premises and rape me," she said in her complaint, as reported by NDTV. 

"On one occasion, Maharaj summoned me and asked me to stay at his ashram for five days. He raped me here as well multiple times. He then asked me to return home and promised to send me money every month," she added. 

As per an NDTV report, the survivor also alleged that she got pregnat in 2013, following which the monk and some school staff member took her for an abortion to a private nursing facility in Berhampore.

"He threatened me when I opposed the idea. In the presence of two (school) staff members, he spoke to a doctor at the nursing home and forced me to undergo an abortion," she alleged. 

The woman said she reached out to the monk on June 12. He asked her to wait at a location in Berhampore on June 13, where two people would come and pick her up. 

The complainant said she kept quiet for years, citing fear and emotional distress. She also alleged that Maharaj threatened to end his life if she spoke to the authorities. "When the two men arrived and I boarded their vehicle, they threatened me and asked me not to contact Maharaj again. They also abused me and pushed me from the vehicle," she said in her complaint.  

Police officials confirmed receiving a formal complaint and stated that a case has been registered under appropriate legal provisions. Investigations are underway to ascertain the details of the incident.

Monk Dismisses Allegations

Maharaj, however, has denied any wrongdoing, stating that the ashram does offer accommodation but dismissed the woman's allegations and version of events.

"I am a sanyasi. Such obstacles are not uncommon in the life of a monk," he said. He also mentioned that his legal team would address the matter in court. 

This is a conspiracy against me to malign my name and fame. There are so many women employed in our ashram and many female disciples. Ask them. Everyone will say we respect women like our mothers," he was quoted as saying by The Times Of India.

The timing of the allegation has drawn attention due to Maharaj's Padma Shri honour and his known political leanings. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has previously accused him of working in favour of the BJP during elections, a claim he countered by sending her a legal notice demanding a public apology for "tarnishing" the image of his ashram in 2024.

This development coincides with heightened tensions in the state following another high-profile incident, where a law student in Kolkata alleged gang-rape on a college campus. 

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