Ashram of godman arrested in POCSO case demolished in Raibagh village

CHIKKODI: Days after a self-proclaimed godman was arrested for sexually assaulting a minor over two days, the Raibagh taluk administration on Thursday demolished the ashram of Lokeshwara swami at Mekhali village.

The demolition was carried out under the supervision of Raibagh tahsildar Prashant Munji with the help of three bulldozers. The godman had allegedly encroached upon eight acres of government land on Survery No. 225 and built the ashram eight years ago.

“The fake godman, who goes by the name Hathyogi Lokeshwara Swami, had encroached upon 8 acres of land on Survey No. 225 about 7-8 years and there were complaints of illegal activities going on in the math. Notices for eviction had earlier been issued and the final notice was issued on May 21 and seven days time was given for eviction”, the tahsildar said.

The tahsildar said the eviction was issued on May 28 and the demolition was carried on Thursday. “In 2017, he had set up a tin shed and later encroached upon more land. We have removed the encroachments and recovered the government land”, the official added.