Preacher held for rape of three minors

 A religious preacher in Satna was arrested for sexually assaulting three minor Dalit girls on the pretext of ridding them of the malefic effects of 'Kala Sarp Dosh'.

The 55-year-old preacher, Narayan Swarup Tripathi, was arrested in the Maihar Dehat (Nadan) police station area after being booked for sexual assault on three sisters aged 17, 15 and 14 years at their house. 

A case was registered against Tripathi for sexual assault under IPC sections, besides provisions of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and SC/ST (Atrocities Protection Act).

The shocking incident took place on Monday, when the parents of the victims requested the preacher to perform rituals to rid them of 'Kala Sarp Dosh' in their horoscopes. He called the three sisters one by one in a room in the name of performing rituals and then allegedly outraged the modesty of the girls.

The matter came to light when the victims' father returned home on Monday night. The three sisters along with their parents subsequently went to the Maihar rural police station on Tuesday afternoon and reported the matter.

Police station in-charge Bhupendra Mani Pandey said, "Tripathi was brought to Satna for questioning after which he was formally arrested."IANS