According to the reports, a 10-year-old Dalit girl was allegedly sexually exploited by three monks associated with the Indo-Thai Buddhist Society (ITBS) in Bihar’s Bodh Gaya. After a petition was filed by a social worker in a local court. an FIR was registered against the three over sexual harassment charges.
The three accused monks have been identified as AC Lama, Ratneshwar Chakma and Chhota Bhante.
Going by the reports, police on Tuesday recorded the statement of the alleged victim under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) before a judicial magistrate, and started the procedure for her medical examination.
The trio, who are untraceable till now, had been living in Bodh Gaya for several years and used to visit the victim’s home on regular basis. Since the victim belonged to a very poor family, the monks allegedly paid the victim’s parents to keep them quiet.
The reports claim that the required steps have been initiated to ensure immediate arrest of the accused persons. Once the medical report comes, the inquiry will be expedited. The victim is currently under protection of the police and the NGO.
An Indo-Thai Buddhist Society functionary declined to comment on the case, saying it is under investigation. A monastery representative declined requests for a comment from the incharge.
