Taekwondo player alleges gang-rape by mahant, others inside Kanpur ashram

A national-level Taekwondo player has alleged that she was gang-raped inside an ashram located right next to a police station in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur. The alleged assault took place in January, but the complaint was lodged nearly four months later, officials said on Sunday.

An investigation is underway, and a video of the incident, which has surfaced on social media, is being examined.

According to the survivor, a resident of Kanpur's Govind Nagar, she had approached a local man, Govind Mahto, while searching for a space to set up a shop selling old clothes. Mahto allegedly took her to the ashram on the pretext of introducing her to influential people who could help her secure a location.

The woman claimed that she was offered a laddoo inside the ashram, after which she lost consciousness. She alleged that she was then gang-raped by Mahto, the ashram's mahant (chief priest), and several others. She named four individuals in the assault, including temple priests.

When asked why she waited four months to file a report, the survivor said she feared retribution due to the accused men's alleged political connections.

The survivor has submitted a video to the police, which also went viral on social media. The footage reportedly showed an elderly man assaulting her inside the ashram premises.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) Mahesh Kumar confirmed that a complaint had been filed. "The woman approached the DCP with her complaint, which was handed over to me for investigation. A video has also been submitted, and we have visited the ashram room shown in it. We are examining all aspects and will take further action accordingly," Kumar said.

In response to the allegations, the ashram's priests claimed they were in Prayagraj attending the Kumbh during the time of the incident. They have provided photos and videos as evidence to support their alibi, which police say are also under scrutiny.