Bobbitised Swami Gangeshananda in Pettah police custody

Thiruvananthapuram: The Thiruvananthapuram additional district and session court on Thursday sent Swami Gangeshananda, who was allegedly bobbitised by his sexual abuse victim, to police custody for two days after he was produced in the court. Pettah police took him into custody after doctors at Thiruvananthapuram government medical college, where he was admitted after a 23-year old law student cut off his genitals on May 19, reported that he was healthy enough to be discharged. He was in hospital under judicial custody.

The police will now interrogate the circumstances which led to the incident. “The swami was able to walk with slight help from us and was eating normally,” said a police officer. “We will record his statements at night. It has not been decided whether to take him to the house of the victim for evidence gathering.” The swami will now be returned to judicial custody by 3pm on Saturday. The investigation is supervised by senior officers including Thiruvananthapuram range IG Manoj Abraham.

Police sources have refused to confirm media reports that the mother of the victim has filed a plea before state police chief to order an investigation against her daughter and boyfriend in connection with the incident. Meanwhile, the girl continues to stay in the shelter home despite reportedly asking permission to allow her to return home. Swami Gangeshananda alias Hari, 53 was attacked while allegedly attempting to rape the victim who was being abused since her school days. The woman was not booked as bobbitisation was considered as an act in self-defence. A lady magistrate has recorded her statements.