Kerala: Woman chops off genitals of ‘godman’ after he tries to rape her

A self-proclaimed godman, who tried to rape a woman, landed in a hospital in Thiruvananthapuram with serious injuries after she bobbitised him.

However, Hari Swami (54) alias Gangananda Theerthapatha, a resident of an ashram in Kollam, told the police that he cut his genitals himself as a penance.

Police suspect that he is owning up the crime to evade law, but the 22-year-old woman insisted that she did it as a last resort to check his advances as he had been sexually exploiting her for five years on the pretext of conducting pooja (rituals).

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan lauded the woman, saying it was “a courageous step. No doubt about it”.

The woman in her complaint stated that Hari was known to her family for the past few years and frequented her home in Thiruvanathapuram Pettah for performing poojas, and used to assault her during the visits ever since she was a class 12 student.

On Friday night, when Hari made advances, the woman, who had hidden a knife under her pillow, cut off his genitals.

The woman’s family rushed him to Thiruvananthapuram medical college and hospital early on Saturday, following which the woman approached the police and narrated the whole incident.

Hari is out of danger after doctors conducted two surgeries on him. They are still trying to stitch back his severed penis, hospital authorities said.

Since the woman said she was assaulted for the last five years, the police booked Hari under POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act) sections also.

Police said the woman will also be charged under relevant sections of self-defence.

The woman’s mother, who was close to the godman, knew about his sexual advances to her daughter, police said, adding that they would charge her also.

Panmana ashram in Kollam, where Hari used to reside, has disowned him.

(With agency inputs)