Bilaspur, A man claiming to be a Hindu godman was arrested along with four others in the Bilaspur district of Chhattisgarh, India, for the abduction and rape of two teenage girls. The incident has sparked outrage in the region, which is already grappling with various disturbances.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the self-proclaimed godman, identified as Kuleshwar Singh Rajput alias Kumar, and his associates allegedly deceived the parents of the two 14-year-old girls. They promised the families monetary blessings in exchange for their daughters’ participation in a ritual.
Archana Jha, in-charge superintendent of police for Bilaspur district, confirmed the arrest of Rajput and his accomplices: Ganesh Sahu (52), Dhania Banjare (42), Kanhaiya (40), and a woman, Hulsi Ratre (30). The authorities have taken the matter into custody, and an investigation is currently underway.
The case has brought to light the exploitation of trust and faith in rural areas by individuals masquerading as spiritual leaders. The event is expected to lead to further scrutiny of self-styled godmen and their practices in the region.