A national-level Taekwondo player has come forward with serious allegations, claiming she was gang-raped in January inside an ashram located beside a police station in Kanpur. The survivour lodged her complaint nearly four months after the incident, citing fear of backlash due to the accused’s alleged political connections. Authorities have launched an investigation and are currently examining video footage related to the case.

The young athlete, who resides in Kanpur’s Govind Nagar area, said she was searching for a location to set up a used clothing shop when she came in contact with a man named Govind Mahato. According to her statement, Mahato offered to help her connect with influential people and led her to the ashram under that pretense.

Woman Allegedly Lost Consciousness After Eating Laddoo

Inside the ashram, the woman was reportedly offered a laddoo by Mahato. She alleges that after consuming it, she lost consciousness. She claims she was then sexually assaulted by multiple men, including Mahato, the ashram’s head priest (mahant), and two other temple priests four individuals in total have been named in her complaint.

A video showing the assault has gone viral on social media and was submitted by the survivor as key evidence. The footage allegedly depicts an elderly man assaulting the woman within the ashram premises. Authorities have confirmed that the room seen in the video has been identified and inspected.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) Mahesh Kumar, who is heading the investigation, confirmed the receipt of the complaint. “The matter was forwarded to me after the woman approached the DCP. We are thoroughly examining the video and verifying all claims before proceeding with further legal action,” Kumar stated.

Priests Denies the Allegations

In their defense, the priests from the ashram have denied the allegations, asserting that they were in Prayagraj attending the Kumbh Mela at the time of the incident. To support their alibi, they have provided photographs and videos as proof of their presence there. Police have confirmed that this evidence is also under examination.

The delay in reporting the incident, according to the survivour, was due to concerns about the accused individuals’ political links and the potential danger of retaliation. Her eventual decision to come forward has reignited conversations around the challenges faced by survivors of sexual violence in pursuing justice.

Police say the investigation is ongoing, and all aspects, including digital evidence and alibis, are being carefully scrutinised.