STATE OF MAHARASHTRA Vs. PRIYA SHARAN MAHARAJ

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Leave granted.

(2.) Heard the learned counsel.

(3.) On 11-5-91, one Purushottam Wasudeo Deshpande lodged a complaint at the Dhantoli Police Station, Nagpur that his two young daughters, Hema and Meera were kidnapped by Priya Sharan Maharaj (respondent No. 1) with the help of Suhasini (respondent No. 6) and Sharwari Devi (respondent No. 7). On the basis of this report an offence was registered under Section 363 and 366, I.P.C. Investigation of that offence disclosed that Kripalu Maharaj (respondent No. 2), who claims to be a spiritual teacher and has his Ashrams at Vrindavan and Mangadh, is a highly immoral person and in order to satisfy his lust he, with the help of his disciples, including respondent Nos. 1 and 3 to 7, used to entice young girls and have sexual intercourse with them against their wish. Respondent No. 2, through his disciples, used to impress upon the young girls that he is the incarnation of Lord Krishna, that they should treat him as their husband and that what he was doing with them was in the nature of Prasad of God and by such acts they were really blessed. The investigation further disclosed that Meera, Hema and one Sulakshana were thus subjected to sexual intercourse by Kripalu Maharaj. Accordingly, the offence which was registered against them earlier under Section 363 and 366. I.P.C., was altered to an offence under Section 376, I.P.C. and all the seven respondents were shown as accused.