Two sadhvis gang-raped for 10 days by `godmen`, held hostage in ashram

LUCKNOW: Two sadhvis or female followers were allegedly gang-raped for over 10 days by a group of four mahants – self-appointed godmen and ashram chiefs – in Uttar Pradesh's Basti district.

The four accused mahants – Brajanand, Sachidanand, Parachetnand, Vishwasnand – had reportedly been pressurising the women for sexual relations for sometime. 

The women, who repeatedly refused their advances, were later hostage inside the ashram premises by the four men.

Managing to escape from the ashram, the women filed a case against at Basti police station on Tuesday.

The women have been sent for a medical check-up, said the Basti SP.

Later, the police raided the ashram, following which all the four mahants fled.

The sadhvis have been living in the ashram since 2008.