An Indian Guru who allegedly told his followers that they must be castrated in order to "meet god" is being investigated for criminal intimidation and causing grievous bodily hurt.
Gurmeet Ram Rahim, otherwise known as the 'guru in bling' for his personal style, reportedly urged hundreds of men to undergo the operation. 400 castrations were allegedly then carried out.
One of those who says he was castrated under the order has now come forward. Hansraj Chauhan contends that he was manipulated by Rahim and underwent the operation at the guru's ashram - medical examiners have confirmed that he has indeed been castrated.
His lawyer, Navkiran Singh, told AFP: "They were told that only those who get castrated will be able to meet god. We will put all the facts of the case to the court and seek compensation for the victims."
Singh said that the castrations had taken place over the past 15 years, but his client had been afraid to come forward until now.
However, Rahim - who leads the Dera Sacha Sauda which describes itself as non-profit Social Welfare and Spiritual Organisation - has vehemently denied the allegations.
"Such allegations disturb me, when I am doing good for humanity," he told a press conference, adding that he would challenge the investigation.
Rahim is to star in an action movie released later this month called 'MSG: Messenger of God'. His Twitter profile describes him as a "Spiritual Saint/philanthropist/versatile singer/allrounder sportsperson/film director/art director/music director/script writer/lyricist/autobiographer/DOP". A website dedicated to the guru says: "We cannot describe HIM with any vocabulary learnt upon the earth."
"Writing down the praise of His humanitarian efforts by using all oceans as ink, chaste intelligence as paper, with the pen of dedication and with the mind of a seasoned journalist would be at par with showing the lamp to the sun," it continues.
According to the Daily Mail, Rahim has already been accused of sexually exploiting his female disciples, and is also facing trial in connection with the murder of a journalist in 2002.
