One held in the rape case at Swaminarayan Gurukul

A case of rape and forced abortion has been registered against Swami Dharmaswarupdas of Swaminarayan Gurukul in Khirasara (Ghetiya) village, located 20 km from Rajkot’s Upleta.

The victim, a young woman from Rajkot, had filed a complaint a week ago alleging that the swami had repeatedly raped her on pretext of a false marriage.

The complaint also accused the swami of forcing the victim to terminate the pregnancy by giving her medicines.

One of the accused in this case, Mayur Kasodariya, was arrested by the Rajkot Rural LCB (local crime branch) from Kolhapur, Maharashtra, and remanded for two days.

Kasodariya was the warden of the Gurukul’s girls’ hostel, and he is alleged to have given the victim the pills.

Narayanswarupdas Swami, another accused named in this case, allegedly assisted the main accused, Dharmaswarupdas.

However, all three accused fled after the complaint was registered. Based on a tip-off, the LCB apprehended Kasodariya from Kolhapur and handed him over to the investigating officer, Police Inspector Rathod.

PI Rathod produced the accused in court, obtained a two-day remand, and initiated further investigation.

As per PI Rathod, “The nabbed accused has confessed to giving the victim pills at the behest of Swami Dharmaswarupdas. He was living in Gurukul’s hostel with his wife for the past 12 years.”

Meanwhile, Bhayavadar police and the LCB have deployed teams to apprehend the absconders, Swami Dharmaswarupdas and Swami Narayanswarupdas.

In the wake of this incident, parents of students studying at the Khirasara (Ghetiya) Gurukul have reportedly withdrawn their children’s admissions.

Also read:

Swaminarayan temple priest rapes, blackmails girl, complaint filed after eight years