Kerala: Dubious letter to godman rescue

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a fresh twist to the recent bobbitisation of a godman here, the mother of the girl who reportedly committed the act  has allegedly sent a letter to the state police chief and the Women's Commission maintaining that the girl did it as they had opposed her relationship with a boy. The godman had not committed any sexual offence against her, the letter said. However, mystery surrounded  the letter as the state police chief and the Women's Commission did not receive the letter till Monday evening.  Sources close to the godman maintained that the letter was sent by post and that it would reach them soon.

According to the letter reportedly sent by the victim's mother and brother, the family as well as Swami Gangeshananda alias Hari were opposed to the girl's relationship with a boy. This had created a grudge in the girl against the swami and hence she committed the offence. The letter also denied the allegations that the swami sexually abused the girl. It was also said in the letter that the women ran to the nearby house of a senior police officer soon after the incident and it was as per  the compulsion from the police that she gave the statement against the swami.

The police strongly suspect that it was an attempt to mislead the investigation and save the godman from the case. "We have got clear evidence from the spot that the swami  sexually  attacked the girl. The girl's mother was quizzed for several days and she never mentioned  this angle. But she seemed to be in no mood to turn against the swami. The family seems to be acting as per the advice of those close to the godman," said a police officer investigating the case. Meanwhile, Gangeshananda's mother sent a petition to the state police chief alleging that false charges were raised against her son.