Raipur: A self-styled godman and four others were arrested for allegedly raping two 14-year-old girls in Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur district, police said on Friday.
(Representative Photo)
Bilaspur range inspector general of police (IGP) Sanjeev Shukla said the incident took place on January 11, and a complaint in this regard was registered by the parents of the two minor girls on Wednesday following which they were arrested on Thursday.
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The accused have been identified as self-styled godman Kuleshwar Singh Rajput alias Kumar alias Pandit Thakur and his accomplices Ganesh Sahu (52), Dhania Banjare (42), Kanhaiya (40) and Hulsi Ratre (30).
Rajput and Sahu hailed from Bilaspur, while Banjare and Ratre were residents of the Sarangrah-Bilaigarh district, police said.
According to the police, the accused self-styled godman raped the minor girls in the garb of performing a puja ritual which would bring wealth.
Police said that on January 11, the girls met Sahu who took them to the Baba Thakur to perform the ritual. Baba Thakur took the girls alone to a room and sexually molested them under the pretext of the ritual.
After reaching their respective homes, the girls reported the incident to their family members following which a complaint was filed.
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All have been booked under sections 366 (A) (abduction of minor girls), 376 (rape) and other relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, said police.
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All have been booked under sections 366 (A) (abduction of minor girls), 376 (rape) and other relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, said police.
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting.
His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.
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