Daijiworld Media Network – Dhenkanal
Dhenkanal, Aug 17: The Odisha Police have arrested the head priest of Mathakargola Ashram in Dhenkanal district on charges of raping a 35-year-old woman inmate, officials said on Saturday.
According to police, the incident occurred on August 4 when the woman was asleep inside a room on the ashram premises. In her FIR, she alleged that the 47-year-old priest sexually assaulted her and abused her when she resisted.
Following her complaint, the accused was arrested under rape charges and produced before court, which remanded him to 14 days’ judicial custody, informed Additional SP Suryamani Pradhan.
While being taken to jail, the priest denied the allegations, claiming he was being framed by certain people. Police said further investigation is underway.