PUNE: A self-styled godman and seven of his associates have been arrested in Pune for allegedly sexually assaulting, physically torturing and financially exploiting a woman for several years by claiming to possess divine powers, police said on Thursday.The arrested associates include six women, officials said.Police said the alleged abuse continued for more than 15 years, while the woman’s family had been associated with the accused for over two decades.A ‘modern gurukul’ According to investigators, the accused, identified as Radhamohan Mishra, allegedly operated an ashram in Kharadi under the name of a “modern gurukul”.Police alleged that families were encouraged to send their children to stay at the facility. The children attended schools and colleges during the day but lived at the ashram, where they were allegedly subjected to physical abuse and psychological manipulation.The police said Mishra created an impression among followers that he had supernatural powers, could read minds and predict the future.He allegedly made followers write detailed “reports” about their thoughts and personal lives, which were later used to influence and control them.‘Woman kept under surveillance, forced into isolation’The complaint states that the woman was gradually isolated from her family and brought under Mishra’s influence.Police alleged that CCTV cameras were installed in her room and she was kept under constant surveillance.“The complainant lived in the bungalow, which functioned as an ashram, for a considerable period of time. Mishra sexually assaulted her and subjected her to physical abuse under the pretext of testing her faith and obedience.”“She received little support from her family members despite repeatedly complaining to them because Mishra had convinced them that she was dishonest and needed ‘correction,” police said.Investigators alleged that the woman was tortured over a prolonged period, including being given electric shocks and being forced to consume the accused’s urine.‘Blackmail, marriage conditions and escape’Police said the complainant wanted to marry and move away from Mishra’s influence.“The guru called women to his bungalow with the promise of solving family, health and financial problems. He would then sexually abuse them,” Pune CP Kumar said.The police alleged that Mishra arranged the woman’s marriage through a matrimonial website after imposing several conditions.“He also demanded private videos of the woman and her husband. He used them to blackmail her. Eventually, he forced her to separate from her husband. The victim finally broke the CCTV cameras and escaped from the bungalow,” police said.Searches recover laptops, hard disks, cash and jewelleryThe case came to light after a complaint was received on June 16, following which an FIR was registered and eight accused were arrested.During searches at Mishra’s bungalow, police seized electronic devices including laptops, hard disks, mobile phones, DVDs, CDs and pen drives.The police also recovered cash worth around Rs 6.5 lakh and gold and silver ornaments valued at over Rs 15 lakh.“We recovered 19 hard disks, 12 laptops, a tablet, 11 cellphones, DVDs, CDs, 23 pen drives, jewellery worth Rs 15 lakh, Rs 6.5 lakh and 10 bullets from the bungalow. We did not find any firearms,” Pune CP Kumar said.A large quantity of medicines, including some expired ones, was also found at the premises. Police said their purpose was being investigated.Escape tunnel under probePolice said Mishra allegedly tried to transfer properties owned by the complainant in his name. Some properties may have already been transferred, and cheating and fraud charges have also been invoked.Investigators also said Mishra had allegedly planned an escape route through an underground tunnel, the construction of which was reportedly underway at the ashram.The accused has been booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and provisions of the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act.Police suspect more victimsPolice said Mishra had followers across several north Indian states and Maharashtra, and many people regularly visited him.“The complainant came into contact with the guru after her father visited his (now arrested) associate Kanwal Nayan,” the Pune CP said.Police suspect there could be more victims and said efforts were underway to identify and trace them.The portion of the ashram linked to Mishra has been searched and largely sealed.
