A 42-year-old religious preacher, known as a 'kathavachak', was arrested by the Madhya Pradesh Police in Chhindwara after a 25-year-old married woman accused him of molestation during a puja ceremony at her residence. The incident, which occurred on April 25, was reported to the Kotwali police station on May 18.
Incident Details
According to the woman's complaint, the accused, identified as Pandit Ganesh Prasad Saral, was invited to her home by her mother-in-law to conduct a religious ritual. While the woman was engaged in household chores in her room, the preacher allegedly entered and molested her. The delay in filing the complaint was not specified, but authorities confirmed that a preliminary investigation was conducted before registering a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for molestation.
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
Police arrested Saral late on Friday night after a six-day religious discourse event in Chhindwada concluded and devotees had left the venue. He was produced before a local court on Saturday, which remanded him to judicial custody. Kotwali police station in-charge Ashish Dhurvey stated, 'Following the complaint, a case was registered and the accused was arrested. Detailed investigations are underway.'
The crime scene was identified as the complainant's own house. Her mother-in-law admitted to having invited the accused for the puja, corroborating the woman's account that the preacher touched her inappropriately. Police reached the venue late at night when only organizing committee members and a few followers were present, ensuring a smooth arrest.
Background
The religious programme had been drawing large crowds daily, but authorities acted discreetly to avoid disruption. The case highlights the importance of timely reporting and police responsiveness in sensitive matters. Further investigations are ongoing to gather more evidence and witness statements.
