Chief priest of ashram held for 'raping' woman inmate in Odisha's Dhenkanal
The woman, in an FIR, alleged that the chief priest, 47, raped her while she was sleeping in a room on the ashram's premises on August 4
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The Odisha Police have arrested the head priest of an ashram in Dhenkanal district for allegedly raping a 35-year-old woman inmate, officials said.
The incident took place at Mathakargola Ashram under the Kamakshyanagar police station area, they said.
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The woman, in an FIR, alleged that the chief priest, 47, raped her while she was sleeping in a room on the ashram's premises on August 4, a police officer said.
The accused also abused her when she objected to his move, according to the complaint.
He was arrested on charges of rape and produced in a court here on Saturday, which sent him to jail for 14 days, said Suryamani Pradhan, the additional SP of Dhenkanal district.
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The chief priest, while being taken to judicial custody, pleaded innocence and alleged that he was framed by some people.
Further investigation is under way, Pradhan said.
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