A minor boy was allegedly sexually assaulted at the Satlok Ashram in Dhanana village of Sonepat, following which police arrested a sevadar (volunteer) in connection with the case, officials said.
Police register case after complaint
The accused has been identified as Sachin, a resident of Kansdi village in Sonepat, who was working as a sevadar at the ashram. The victim's family, originally from Uttar Pradesh, had come to the ashram to perform seva.
According to officials, the alleged incident took place on September 23. After the incident, someone from the ashram called the Dial 112 emergency helpline and informed police.
The matter subsequently reached the child welfare committee (CWC). On a complaint filed by the CWC, police registered an FIR against Sachin at Baroda police station in Sonepat on September 24 under Section 74 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 10 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The accused was produced before a court, which remanded him to judicial custody.
Minor taken into protective care
Gohana DCP Jitender Gehlawat said the matter came to light on September 23, when the CWC chairperson informed police that an 11-year-old boy who had visited the ashram had allegedly been subjected to inappropriate physical contact.
A police team then reached the ashram and took the minor into protective care along with his father. The child was subsequently taken with his father to a designated facility or hospital at Khanpur Kalan for legal assistance, counselling and medical procedures, Gehlawat said.
During counselling, the child reportedly provided information about the alleged incident.
Police are now examining the circumstances surrounding the alleged offence, including when and where it occurred and whether anyone else was involved. The minor's statement and other evidence are also being examined as part of the investigation.
Ashram head Rampal released on bail in April
The case comes as the Dhanana ashram has drawn renewed attention following the release on bail of its head, Rampal, in April this year.
Rampal returned to the Dhanana ashram after being released from jail following bail in the sedition case linked to the Satlok Ashram episode in Hisar.