Daijiworld Media Network - Murshidabad
Murshidabad, Jun 28: A disturbing case has surfaced from West Bengal, where a woman has accused Padma Shri awardee and monk Swami Pradiptananda, popularly known as Kartik Maharaj, of repeatedly raping her since 2013 under the pretext of offering her a job at a school affiliated with Bharat Sevashram Sangha.
The accused, associated with the Sangha’s Beldanga unit in Murshidabad district, has denied the allegations, calling them a conspiracy to tarnish his reputation. Maharaj was recently conferred the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honour, for distinguished service.
The complaint, filed at Nabagram police station earlier this week, alleges that the survivor met Maharaj in December 2012, when he offered her a job at Chanak Adivasi Abasik Balika Vidyalaya — a school managed by the ashram. She was allowed to stay in the school hostel in January 2013, but soon, according to the complaint, Maharaj began sexually assaulting her.
“He would take me to a room on the fifth floor of the premises almost every day and rape me,” the survivor wrote in her complaint. She further alleged that Maharaj later summoned her to another ashram, where the assaults continued for five days.
The woman also claimed she became pregnant in 2013 and was forced to undergo an abortion at a private nursing home in Berhampore under pressure from Maharaj and two school staffers. “He threatened me and forced me into the abortion,” she said.
Despite repeated promises of a job, she said the abuse continued across multiple ashram locations in Murshidabad. “I kept waiting, mentally breaking down over the years,” she said.
The survivor also alleged that she tried to contact Maharaj again on June 12 this year. “He asked me to wait at a spot in Berhampore. Two men arrived to pick me up but instead threatened me, abused me, and pushed me out of the vehicle,” she claimed.
Maharaj, when contacted, dismissed the accusations. “This is a conspiracy. So many women are associated with our ashram. They will tell you how we treat women with respect,” he told The Times of India.
The case comes amid a political storm in West Bengal over multiple incidents of sexual violence. Just days ago, a student at South Calcutta Law College alleged she was raped by two fellow students and a staff member. The incident has drawn sharp political reactions ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.
The law college case has led to four arrests, including that of the college's security guard. A photo of prime accused Manojit Mishra with TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee added to the controversy, prompting the BJP to launch attacks on the ruling party. The TMC has since denied ties with the accused and demanded strict punishment if found guilty.
These developments have also reignited painful memories of last year’s brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor inside the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, which sparked nationwide outrage.
Police have not yet confirmed whether Kartik Maharaj has been summoned for questioning. Investigations are underway.