Andhra Godman Arrested on Charge of Sexual Exploitation of Minor Girl

Visakhapatnam: A 64-year-old godman named Swami Poornanada was arrested by Andhra Pradesh police on Tuesday on charges of sexual exploitation of a 15-year-old orphan girl.

The girl escaped from the ashram to complain that Swami Poornananda repeatedly sexually assaulted and raped her in the Gnanananda Ashram Venkojipalem. She also added that she was physically tortured in this ashram for over two years.

The girl alleged that the arrested seer used to take her to his bedroom every night and raped her. According to her, she was being chained in a in a room in the Ashram for past one year. The girl is said to be living in the ashram since 2016

This victim managed to escape out of the ashram on June13 and boarded a train. While in the train, she narrated her sad story to a fellow female passenger. With her help, the victim approached Vijayawada Police.

Swami Poornananda was taken into custody and a thorough police investigation is launched.

The minor girl has been sent for a medical examination.

The arrested seer is under trial for another rape accusation made against him by a minor girl in 2012. But 12 children lived in his ashram, and four of them are girls.

Swami Poornananda, is highly educated with a double master’s degree, B. Ed., and law degrees. But he there are multiple cases against him including sexual assault and land dispute.