July 1, 2025

Bengal's Murshidabad district police have issued a summon notice to Swami Pradiptananda, a Padma Shri awardee and Bharat Sevashram Sangha monk, in connection with a rape case filed against him. The complaint, lodged by a local woman, accuses the monk of sexually assaulting her multiple times over a span of seven years by promising her a job at a school run by the Sangha. The woman also claims that she was forced to undergo an abortion in 2013. The monk, who is currently in charge of the Beldanga ashram, has been asked to appear at the Lalbagh police station for questioning. The case, registered on June 26, has sparked a political storm in Bengal, with the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) engaging in a war of words over the allegations. While TMC has accused the BJP of orchestrating false charges against the monk, BJP leaders have defended Swami Pradiptananda, claiming that he is being framed by the ruling party. The monk's association with BJP leaders in the past has further fueled the political drama surrounding the case. Amidst the ongoing controversy, protests have erupted in Bengal over another rape incident involving a college student, allegedly committed by former and current students linked to the ruling party. The TMC has distanced itself from the accused individuals and pointed fingers at the BJP for politicizing the issue. The developments have deepened the divide between the two political rivals, with both sides attempting to leverage the situation for their own gain.

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Tags: Bengal, Swami pradiptananda, Rape case, Bjp, Tmc,