Two persons were arrested by the Visakhapatnam police on Thursday in connection with the assault on Swami Poornananda (52), who runs the Swami Gnanananda Ashram at Venkojipalem.
Women activists of the CPI(M) and some others dragged the swamiji out of the ashram and beat him with footwear, accusing him of sexually assaulting a minor girl of the ashram on October 28. The swamiji was arrested by the MVP Zone police the same day following a complaint lodged by the CPI(M) activists and others.
Subsequently, members of the Viswa Hindu Parishad and other organisations staged a protest against the attack on the swamiji and alleged that some organisations were making wild allegations on him with an intention of grabbing precious land of the ashram and to tarnish his image.
The police also registered cases against some persons for the attack on the swamiji. They arrested T. Rajakumari and P. Ramana under Sections 323, 324, 506, and 509 of the CrPC and produced them in court, which ordered their remand for 14 days. Swami Poornananda, who has been running the ashram, a home for the aged and poor children, for the past few decades was arrested under Section 376 of the CrPC. He was released on bail a few weeks ago.
Forensic report awaited
The 13-year-old victim was sent to the King George Hospital for medical examination.
The Regional Forensic Science Laboratory is yet to come out with its report, according to Assistant Commissioner of Police (East) S. Venkata Rao.
