West Bengal: Security guard accuses Iskcon monk of rape

A security guard working for the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) has accused a monk, associated with the organization, of sexual harassment.

The monk, identified as Jagadartiha Das, held the position of chief coordinator at the Iskcon temple headquarters in Mayapur, Nabadwip. He is currently absconding, reported India Today citing sources.

The 29-year-old security guard, who has been working at Iskon for six years, alleged that he was summoned to monk Jagadartiha Das's personal chamber on January 16, where he was sexually tortured and raped.

The complainant further stated that when he tried to protest against Das, the monk threatened him with job loss if he disclosed the incident to anyone.

"He (the monk) forced me to have perverted sex with him against my willingness. I was physically assaulted by the monk. Following the incident, I was mentally depressed for a long time, so I couldn't share this with anyone because I was afraid of losing my job too," India Today quoted security guard as saying.

According to the security guard, when he finally gathered strength and share the incident with some of his colleagues after a few days, he was shocked to learn that same thing had happened to a few of them as well.

The complainant claimed that the accused monk sexually assaulted four more people who were working at the Iskon office.

Police have lodged a case under sections 342 (wrongful confinement), 377 (unnatural offences), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code against the monk and a hunt is on to nab him.

Co-directors of Mayapur Iskcon also constituted an internal inquiry committee that will probe the matter. The temple authorities also disqualified accused monk Jagadartiha Das from holding any managerial post at the temple.

Further investigation into the matter is underway.

Also Read: Man rapes 8-year-old girl after barging into her house, arrested