Self-proclaimed godman Sarathi Baba used to sexually harass and abuse many women and girls at his Barimula ashram in Kendrapada district. When protested, he was driving away the victims even in the night hours."
Doli Das, a social worker and a fact-finding team member of the Progressive lawyers' Association, brought this allegation before mediapersons here on Sunday. Das said the fact-finding team visited the Sarathi Ashram and discussed with locals to get the real picture of the Sarathi Baba controversy.
After being abused and driven away by Baba, the helpless victims would stay in short-stay homes and could not muster up courage to complain against Baba as many high profile political leaders had close relationship with him. She said she has got several cases with evidence. Das also stated that several CCTVs were installed in bathrooms and other private rooms made for devotees for their night halts at the ashram. Ashram people were too blackmailing women and girls after taking their nude photos through installed CCTVs. Crime Branch team on Saturday night conducted a raid on the residence-cum-office of an chartered accountant, Gitiranjan Mekap, who was engaged by the Baba to audit transactions of the Satyam Charitable Trust. The team quizzed Mekap for nearly three hours and also seized several documents, a laptop and a hard disk from his possession.The Crime Branch team also quizzed two established saree businessmen of Kendrapada town.