The Darbhanga police have successfully apprehended a prominent religious orator, Shravan Das, who is accused of systematically exploiting a teenage girl over several months. Shravan Das, a disciple of the Mahant of the Sri Ram Janki Temple, reportedly used his position of trust to groom the victim and her family. The case, which first came to light in late 2024, has finally seen a breakthrough with the arrest of the primary accused by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by SDPO Rajiv Kumar. The police are also on the lookout for an accomplice known as ‘Mouni Baba’ who is currently evading arrest.
The victim’s harrowing account details a calculated effort by the preacher to gain access to her. After meeting the family at a spiritual event, he gradually won their confidence, eventually moving into their house as a tenant. The exploitation allegedly began in March 2024 when the girl was alone at home. Over the following months, the accused allegedly used a combination of threats and false promises of marriage to continue the abuse. The survivor also mentioned being coerced into performing degrading acts, adding a layer of psychological torture to the physical assault.
SSP Jagunath Reddy confirmed that the police possess substantial evidence against the accused, including digital and medical records. The investigation has revealed that the victim’s health was severely compromised due to forced medical procedures performed without professional supervision. As Shravan Das remains in custody, the police are expanding their probe to determine if there are other victims. This case has prompted a wider discussion in Bihar regarding the safety of minors and the need for stricter vetting of individuals in positions of religious influence.