Three monks get imprisonment for sodomy

Rajkot, Oct 13 (UNI) A local court at Dhari sentenced three monks to imprisonment for molesting and sexually battering a teenage student in Khambha Swaminarayan Gurukul of Amreli district.

Dhari court Judge H N Kanara yesterday sentenced two monks -- Swami Radharamldas and Vishnuswami -- to 18 months imprisonment and fined Rs 500 and 1,000 respectively, while Mahaprashadswami was sentenced to 14 months imprisonment and fined him Rs 1,000 for the crime.

According to prosecution, the victim, a 14-year-old student had lodged a complaint on July 15 last year at Khambha Police station in which he stated that he was repeatedly molested and sexually battered by the three monks -- Swami Radharamandas, Vishnuswami and Mahaprashadswami of Swaminaryan sect at Khambha Gurukul where he was studying.

After his complaint, the victim was shifted to Bharti Ashram in Junagadh. The accused who went absconding after a police complaint was filed, was later arrested near Amreli after a manhunt was launched to nab them.

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