DCW chief meets rape victim

New Delhi, June 12

Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal met the woman victim today who was allegedly raped by self-styled Godman Dati Maharaj of the Shanidham. Maliwal has advised police protection for the victim. "Met girl who alleged rape by Dati Maharaj in his ashram. The girls story is simply horrifying and it appears that she has gone through the utmost torture. She has a threat to her life. Issued notice to Delhi Police to imm provide her protection. Dati Maharaj shud b imm arrested! (sic)," Maliwal tweeted.

The Crime Branch will take over the probe into the complaint of the 25-year-old woman victim who alleges to be raped by Maharaj and his disciples on several occasions, the police said today. The woman filed the complaint against Maharaj at the Fatehpur Beri police station  on Sunday. The case was transferred from the district police to the Crime Branch today, they added.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Alok Kumar confirmed that the case had been transferred even though they were yet to receive the official orders.

The woman had told police that she was a disciple of the self-styled godman for a decade, but after she was raped by him and two of his disciples, she returned to her native place in Rajasthan.

She also alleged that a female disciple of the godman used to force her into his room and on the victim’s refusal, would convince her stating other disciples too had slept with him, the police said. The woman also alleged that she was sexually abused in the ashrams of the godman in Delhi and Rajasthan.

She fled one of the ashrams two years ago and had gone into depression. After she recovered from her trauma, she narrated her ordeal to her parents, who approached the police and a case was registered. — TNS