India • Jul 01, 2025

Padma Shri monk summoned in rape case

Swami Pradiptananda, a Padma Shri-winning monk from Bharat Sevashram Sangha's Beldanga unit, has been called in by police after a local woman accused him of repeatedly raping her since 2013.
She says the abuse happened repeatedly in a school room and claims he promised her a teaching job to gain her trust.

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Complainant's allegations

The woman also alleges she was forced into an abortion by two ashram members in 2013, and that men sent by the monk threatened her when she tried to reach out this June.
Police registered the case on June 26 and are investigating. The monk denies all charges, calling them baseless.
The case has sparked political finger-pointing, but the complainant insists no party influenced her decision to come forward.