File report on rape allegations at Nashik ashram in 7 days, minister tells Women and Child Development commissioner

The ashram director, who was arrested last week for allegedly sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl, allegedly also raped five other girls at the facility. The police said Sunday the first case was registered on Wednesday after the girl told her relative about the sexual abuse and they arrested the accused, 28, a day later.

They said five more First Information Reports (FIRs) have now been registered against the director after the other girls, aged between 14 and 17, told them about their sexual abuse. The incidents of rape have been taking place for the past few months, the police said, , adding that no more sexual assault complaints have been received.

A police officer investigating the case also told The Indian Express that the ashram did not have permission from the tribal department or the WCD department to run the place.

The police said the ashram, a row house, was started in 2018 with the help of donations. It was registered with the charity commissioner and was being run on rented premises, officials added.

Last week, when the rape allegations were made, there were 13 girls at the ashram. All the girls were from tribal families and went to a school near the ashram, the police said. The girls’ parents allowed them to stay there as it acted as a hostel, providing shelter and food for free, the police said.

The police said that in 2014, the accused used to run another ashram for mentally challenged children. He left that ashram to begin this new one, the police added. The police said the accused did not have a prior criminal record.