KASARGOD : A so called Durgananda Swami who was running an ashram called
Shivagiri-Durgananda Sannidhi at Kajikatte in Paivalike near Manjeshwar , has escaped
after locals raided the ashram on the night of July 21, Wednesday, suspecting immoral
activities in the Ashram. The locals apprehended a young woman who was in the ashram
and have handed her over to police custody.
Reports say a localite named Srihari(35) had named himself Durgananda Swami and was
running the ashram since the past two years . The allegation of the locals is that the so
called Swami had brought a young lady of the Bunt community to the ashram and was
indulging in immoral activities.
The locals during the raid had went on a rampage inside the ashram and damaged the
car used by the swami and even reportedly attacked him. He however managed to escape
from the scene. It is learnt that a mobile used by the Swami has been found and it had
some photographs of the swami with the young woman in compromising positions.
Though the media men rushed to the ashram on gathering the news no one was found
there. They only found a car that was damaged. It is said the Swami was residing in
Uppala before setting up ashram here.
According to reports, the swami whose original name was Srihari had studied only up
to tenth standard and after his father’s demise had set up the ashram saying he was a
sanyasi. Though locals did not visit the ashram, people from outside were seen there.
Some programmes were held in the ashram every Friday and it is learnt the swami had
even driven his mother and elder brother out of the house.
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