Kerala girl chops off genitals of alleged rapist godman

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: For seven years, she stifled the screams and agonies within herself. Finally, the 23-year-old law student liberated herself from the clutches of a self-styled godman, no less, who has been sexually abusing her since she was a minor. She chopped off her torturer’s penis, the act bearing close resemblance to the climax of Malayalam movie - 22 Female Kottayam.

The 53-year-old man - Gangesananda Theerthapada aka Hari Swami - was admitted to the Government Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram, on Friday night. He hails from Kolencherry, Ernakulam, and reportedly is a former member of the Panmana Ashram. The Ashram denied any association with him, though. The victim told the police the man was abusing her since she was a Plus-I student. There were reports of him abusing the girl with her mother’s consent, but police said they were verifying it. 

The police said Hari Swami arrived at her house on Friday to perform some rituals and attempted to rape her around 11 pm. When the girl resisted, he threatened her with a knife but she grabbed the blade in the ensuing scuffle and cut off his penis.

The girl then alerted the police control room and they admitted him to the hospital.  The police registered a case against him on charges of rape and under the provisions of POCSO since the abuse started when she was a minor.  

Police have not pressed any charge against the girl and she is expected to get the benefits of self-defence. The godman told the doctors and the police that he himself cut off the organ. Later, they recorded the man’s arrest. 

Not an ‘idol’ past

Gangesananda Theerthapada allegedly has good connection with the police higher ups. In 2009, it helped him go scot-free in a case booked against him at the Pettah police station during a stir pertaining to the birth place of Chattambi Swami. Police officers said Hari Swami may use his contacts to get away in the present case.