Self-styled godman in Odisha arrested over rape allegations

A woman working as a helper in a restaurant run by the godman’s ashram alleged that he entered her room on Friday and assaulted her while she was resting

Published on: Aug 16, 2025, 20:57:10 IST

By Debabrata Mohanty

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Bhubaneswar: A self-proclaimed godman was arrested on Saturday for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman disciple at his ashram in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district, police officials said.

Police have sealed the ashram and arrested the godman. (Representational image)

The godman identified as Baba Madhu Mangal alias Madan Mohan Parida, was arrested a day after he allegedly sexually assaulted the woman who worked as a helper in a restaurant run by the ashram in Mathakargola area of Dhenkanal. The woman alleged that on Friday evening, Madhu Mangal entered her room and assaulted her while she was resting. The woman alleged that despite her resistance, the accused forced himself upon her.

The godman allegedly offered the survivor ₹50,000 to remain silent. However, the woman approached the local police station. Following the complaint, the police sealed the ashram and arrested Madhu Mangal.

On Saturday, a scientific team conducted a thorough examination of the ashram premises. Forensic experts inspected the rooms, collected samples, and documented the spot to establish corroborative evidence.

Police also sealed off certain portions of the ashram during the investigation. Officers confirmed that the woman’s statement has been recorded as per legal procedure, and the medical examination report is awaited.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Debabrata Mohanty
Debabrata Mohanty is a senior assistant editor of Hindustan Times who works as state correspondent from Odisha covering the state's politics, governance, public policy, natural disasters, environment and its society for close to three decades. With his long years of reporting from the state capital of Bhubaneswar, Mohanty has been known as one of the most experienced and credible journalists covering Odisha for the national English dailies. His reporting combines on-ground detail with deep institutional knowledge detailing the state's changing politics, governance issues, administrative reforms and the functioning of its public institutions. He has regularly reported on issues ranging from legislative developments and public policy implementation. Politics is his core areas of expertise as he closely tracks Odisha's political landscape, including the rise and transformation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the two principal political parties in Odisha. His long association with the state's political establishment enables him to write on contemporary developments in a larger political context. Mohanty takes a deep interest in writing human interest stories, environmental issues and documenting the impact of cyclones, floods, heatwaves, and other climate-related events in one of the most disaster-prone states. His coverage extends to public health, governance reforms and stories on accountability of government institutions. Before joining Hindustan Times, Mohanty worked with The Indian Express, Mail Today, and The Telegraph, where he covered at least six general elections and as many assembly elections. In 2007, he was selected for the prestigious Chevening Young Indian Print Journalist Programme at the University of Lincoln, United Kingdom, where he received advanced training in print journalism. In 2009 he won the Press Institute of India-International Committee of Red Cross award on conflict reporting for his on-ground reportage of 2008 Kandhamal riots.Read More

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