In Visakhapatnam, a 60-year-old “seer” has been arrested for allegedly molesting a girl in the ashram he runs. Paramananda, who oversees the Ramananda Jnanananda ashram at Venkoji Nagar in M V P Colony, was taken into custody following the girl’s escape and subsequent report to a child protection official. The ashram, in existence since 1955, has 12 children and six staff members.
Confirming the molestation charges, Visakhapatnam Police Commissioner Trivikram Varma stated that the seer would call two 14-year-old girls after 9 pm, ostensibly for a foot massage, but would engage in inappropriate behavior with them. The victim managed to flee the ashram and seek assistance in Vijayawada, where she filed a complaint, leading to Paramananda’s arrest. Interestingly, the seer had previously filed a missing person report to avoid suspicion.
Authorities are now interviewing other children in the ashram to determine if similar incidents occurred in the past. Cases will be consolidated for further action if additional instances are discovered. The police have registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, specifically Sections 505 and 506. The victim, who lost her parents, initially resided at the Gandepally Sadhu Matham in Rajamahendravaram before being relocated to Paramananda’s ashram. The arrest highlights the importance of child protection and the need to address instances of abuse within religious institutions.
