AUROBINDO ASHRAM EVICTION: Surviving sister says raped after suicide attempt

Puducherry Senior Superindent of Police V J Chandran told The Indian Express that case has been filed after the woman’s complaint.
“The woman’s medical exam will be conducted soon. She says she was raped by unknown men after she was thrown back to the shore because of the high tide,” he said.

Meanwhile, the father and the surviving daughters held a funeral for the deceased Friday, surrounded by a dozen police officers.

The seven-member family had reportedly taken the decision to commit suicide after the Supreme Court ordered the eviction of the five sisters from the ashram.

Political parties in Puducherry organised protests against the suicides on Friday. While shops and other establishments owned by ashram were attacked Thursday, shops were closed on Friday following a bandh call.

A senior leader of the ruling All India N R Congress party, G Nehru, has demanded a judicial probe into the irregularities and corruption at the ashram — as alleged by the five sisters — and demanded the dismissal of ashram management by appointing a special officer until the completion of the probe Matri Prasad, secretary of the ashram ruled out any possibility of government taking over. He said it is registered as a trust and there are rules to protect its powers. “Any such take over attempts will have to follow the rules,” he said.