Visakhapatnam: The Visakhapatnam city police arrested a swami of an ashram on allegations of raping a minor girl at his ashram. The godman, who is the director of orphanage used to sexually assault the 15-year-old girl for over a year. The accused was identified as Swami Poornananda (64), who is head of Swami Gnanananda Ashram located at Venkojipalem which houses an orphanage and old-age home. The man is being arrested on charges of rape for the second time in a decade. He was held for raping 13 year old girl in 2011.
According to the police, the girl was held hostage by the swami for more than a year and he repeatedly tortured and raped the victim. With the help of a maid servant, the girl escaped on June 13 and boarded Tirumala Express and with the help of a co-passenger she lodged a complaint with Disha police in Vijayawada. The case was transferred to Vizag and the accused was taken into custody.
Assistant Commissioner of Police, Disha Police Station, Ch Vivekananda said that the victim girl lodged a complaint against the Swamiji in Vijayawada and she narrated her ordeal.
Based on the complaint, a case was registered against him under Section 376 of IPC (punishment for rape) and relevant section under POCSO Act. The victim was undergoing medical tests in Vijayawada, Vivekananda added.
