Sambalpur: Rairakhol police on Saturday detained a self-proclaimed godman for allegedly raping a young woman after intoxicating her under Rairakhol police limits in Sambalpur district.
The accused has been identified as Prafulla Mahala, a resident of Bhaliapadar village under Manamunda police limits in Boudh district. He is currently staying at Baisnabajholi Ashram in Rairakhol area.
According to reports, a young woman from Charmal police limits, who had been suffering from acid reflux for the past few months, had approached godman Prafulla for treatment. The godman had given her some medicine and instructed her to come again after a month to collect medicines. However, since the young woman lived far away, she did not return.
On Friday morning, the young woman brought a relative to Rairakhol hospital for treatment. She reportedly telephoned godman asking him to give her medicines. The godman asked her to visit the ashram to collect the required medicines.
When the young woman arrived at the ashram, the godman gave her four pills to consume. After taking the pills, she became unconscious. Taking advantage of her condition, the godman allegedly raped her. When the woman regained consciousness, the accused Baba hired an auto-rickshaw to drop her. The victim was found lying at medical chowk.
On a tip-off, hospital staff rescued her and began treatment. Following a complaint filed by the woman’s family at Rairakhol police station, police detained the self-proclaimed godman Prafulla Mahala from the ashram on Friday and are investigating the matter further.
“The Baba (godman) took advantage of the woman being alone and allegedly raped her,” said Rairakhol SDPO Prasanta Kumar Meher adding that “The young woman is currently undergoing treatment. We have detained the accused and are conducting an investigation. Further action will be taken based on the medical examination.”
