A 13-year-old girl was allegedly sexually abused by the head of Swami Gnanananda Ashram, an orphanage and old age home run by 52-year-old Swami Poornananda alias Swami Premananda.
The incident sent shock waves across the city and activists pulled out the Swami from the Ashram and beat him up with footwear. Though the girl was allegedly abused by Swami a few months back, it came to light only on Sunday. The minor girl was admiited at the ashram four years back and now she is studying in Class 6 at the Ashram.
The girl said the Swami had sexually abused her in June with the help of three women of the Ashram. The girl had run away from the Ashram and was staying with her mother.
Police took the Swami and one woman into custody. Meanwhile, Poornananda dismissed the charges. He said that some groups were trying to grab land belonging to the Ashram.