16 girls complained of sexual harassment, abuse at Eluru ashram

Officials verifying records and attendance registers at Swamy Dayananda Saraswathi Ashram in Eluru on September 19, 2024. | Photo Credit:

The 16 girls who live at Swamy Dayananda Saraswathi Ashram, Ameenapeta, Eluru, are reported to have alleged that the manager of the ashram, B. Sasi Kumar, he sexually abused them and misbehaved with them.

The crime was discovered when a 13-year-old inmate of the ashram lodged a complaint with the Eluru Two Town police on Wednesday, alleging that Sasi Kumar, who was a hostel welfare officer in the BC Social Welfare Department, raped her with the help of a guard. , Phanisri (his wife) and the caretaker of the ashram, Lavanya.

The Department of Women Development and Welfare (WE&CW) and the police inspected the ashram on Thursday. District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) Ch. Surya Chakraveni of the WD&CW Department recorded the statements of the girls. “During the investigation, it was revealed that the suspects misbehaved and tortured them physically and mentally. About 16 girls in the ashram alleged that Sasi Kumar had sexually assaulted them,” said a police officer.

Talking to A HinduPolice Superintendent K. Pratap Shiva Kishore said that the investigating officers were confirming since how long the ashram was maintained by Sasi Kumar, Phanisri and his niece Lavanya.

Eluru Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) D. Sravan Kumar, who is investigating the case, said the police are trying to gather scientific evidence in the POCSO Act case. “The victim was sent to be checked and his condition is stable. Police teams are searching for the suspects,” said the DSP.

WD&CW Director M. Venugopal Reddy said that psychological counseling will be provided to all the students living in the ashram. Instructions had been given to the District Probation Officer (DPO) of Juvenile Welfare and officials of the concerned department to submit a report on the alleged sexual abuse of inmates in the ashram, he said.

“These girls were released before the Eluru Child Welfare Committee (CWC), which handed them over to their parents. The ashram is closed,” said Mr. Venugopal Reddy.

Ms. Surya Chakraveni said that the records, attendance details of students and staff, head of the ashram, donations, budget and other details were being verified.