Gurdwara granthi sexually exploits polio-stricken youth : Smalsar , Punjab

A 20-year-old polio-stricken youth was allegedly exploited sexually by a granthi of a gurdwara at Thathi Bhai village under Smalsar police station in Moga district.

Smalsar SHO Gurwinder Singh Bhullar said the accused also gave the youth Rs. 200 to keep his mouth shut and threatened  him against disclosing the matter to anyone.

"When the youth could not bear the exploitation anymore, he ran away from the gurdwara and complained to his uncle, who reported the matter to the police on Saturday," the SHO said.

The SHO said the victim, who is polio-stricken in both legs, was an orphan and stayed at the village gurdwara to learn preaching. "The accused started exploiting him. The accused would sexually exploit him in the storeroom of the gurdwara and on Saturday the SSP received a complaint regarding it," said Bhullar.

He said the accused, 50-year-old Gurcharan Singh, also threatened the victim against mentioning it to anyone and also gave him Rs. 200.

Mohan Singh, the victim's uncle, in his complaint to the SSP, said, "After running away from the gurdwara the victim came to me and informed me of the incident. I went to the head granthi of the gurdwara and urged him to dismiss the accused from job, but the head granthi refused to do so."

On Saturday, Mohan Singh, along with other villagers, blocked the Baghapurana- Bhagta Bhai highway and demanded action against the accused. Former Congress MLA Darshan Singh Brar also reached the spot. The police finally registered a case.

"We have registered a case under section 377 of the IPC against Gurcharan Singh. The victim was brought to Dr Mathura Dass Civil Hospital, Moga, where the medical examination of the victim has been done," said the SHO.

SSP Surjit Singh Grewal said a special police team had been constituted to nab the accused.


Source : Hindustan Times ( 27th April 2013 )