July 1, 2025

In a recent development, Padma Shri awardee Swami Pradiptananda, head of the Bharat Sevashram Sangha’s Beldanga ashram, has filed a petition in the Calcutta high court to quash the FIR against him regarding allegations of rape by a local woman. The woman claimed that she was promised a job by Swami Pradiptananda and was repeatedly raped between 2012 and 2019, leading to an abortion in 2013. The monk, also known as Kartik Maharaj, has denied the accusations and moved to challenge the FIR. The high court is set to conduct a hearing on the matter soon. The monk's association with political figures, including those from the BJP and TMC, has stirred further controversy. The TMC has launched a fresh attack on Swami Pradiptananda, sharing videos from past events to tarnish his image. On the other hand, the BJP has come to the monk's defense, questioning the timing and veracity of the allegations. The political landscape in Bengal has been intensifying with the approaching 2026 assembly elections, with parties using such incidents for their agendas. Meanwhile, protests have erupted in Bengal over a recent gang rape case involving students, further escalating the political tension in the region.

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Tags: Calcutta high court, Fir, Rape case, Swami pradiptananda, Bharat sevashram sangha, Bengal,