Local religious preacher held in rape case

Raipur | Correspondent: Police have arrested Narendra Shastri, a well-known religious storyteller and astrologer, on charges of rape in Chhattisgarh's Mahasamund district. Acting on a complaint filed by a woman regarding an incident in the Bagbahara police station area, the police detained the accused from the Silyari area of ​​Raipur. Following his arrest, he was brought to Bagbahara for questioning, and further investigation into the matter is underway.

Meanwhile, it is alleged that certain politicians are pressuring the victim and her husband to withdraw the case. Some individuals visited the victim's home and threatened that if the case were not withdrawn, her identity would be exposed and she would be defamed by spreading the information to all her relatives.

However, the victim has not lodged a formal complaint with the police regarding this specific intimidation.

The complaint filed by the victim levels serious allegations of rape against Narendra Shastri. The woman submitted a written complaint at the Bagbahara police station on May 6, based on which the police registered an FIR under Sections 376(2)(j), 376(2)(n), and 376(2)(m) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). These sections pertain to serious offenses such as rape, repeated rape of the same woman, and sexual exploitation by taking advantage of a woman's vulnerable or helpless state.

Narendra Shastri is known as a prominent religious storyteller and astrologer. He is popularly referred to as 'Chawal Wale Baba' (Rice Baba) and 'Chai Wale Baba' (Tea Baba). His followers claim that he assesses details of people's lives based on grains of rice and a red flower brought by them. This unique style brought him widespread fame, and large crowds have consistently attended his programs.

According to police sources, a preliminary investigation was conducted after receiving the complaint, and a case was registered against the accused after finding sufficient grounds. Subsequently, a police team took action and arrested him from the Silyari area of ​​Raipur. The police are currently investigating all aspects of the case, and detailed information has not yet been made public. Officials state that detailed facts will be shared only after the investigation and necessary legal procedures are completed.

It is noteworthy that in recent years, several cases involving the sexual exploitation of women by self-styled godmen and religious figures have come to light in Chhattisgarh. In a similar instance, another alleged godman, Nirmal Baba (60), was arrested in Janjgir-Champa district on charges of rape; it was alleged that he sexually exploited a woman under the guise of providing treatment and resolving her problems.