AGRA: A 30-year-old IIT Roorkee graduate who reinvented himself as a self-styled spiritual guru in Mathura has been arrested for allegedly luring young women into a religious group and sexually exploiting them under the guise of spiritual teachings and unconventional marriage practices.
According to police, the accused, identified as Abhishek Mishra, was arrested near Radha Kund in the Govardhan area of Mathura on Monday night.
Mathura (Rural) Superintendent of Police Suresh Chandra Rawat said Mishra, originally from Bhubaneswar, had been living in Mathura for the past three years. After graduating from IIT Roorkee and working for a private company in the Delhi-NCR region, he allegedly began presenting himself as a spiritual leader.
Investigators said Mishra used YouTube and other social media platforms to deliver online discourses and attract followers, claiming that his mission was to educate young men and women. Police allege that he gradually manipulated members of his group and encouraged them to enter into so-called “Gandharva marriages” — informal unions conducted without traditional ceremonies, witnesses, or sacred rituals.
According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Anil Kumar, Mishra allegedly used his influence within the group to establish physical relationships with women followers.
The investigation began last month after a 22-year-old nursing student from Chhattisgarh filed a complaint with police. She alleged that Mishra sexually assaulted her after allegedly serving her milk mixed with an intoxicating substance as “prashad” during a visit to Mathura. The woman had come to meet her elder sister, who was undergoing training with a public sector undertaking and was associated with Mishra’s group.
In her complaint, the woman further alleged that the accused later demanded Rs 5 lakh and threatened to circulate videos of her if she failed to pay.
Based on the complaint, police registered a case at Govardhan police station under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) related to rape, criminal intimidation and sexual harassment.
During the investigation, officers reportedly recovered more than a dozen obscene photographs involving different men and women from the accused’s mobile phone. Police said at least three women have since been rescued from the ashram linked to the group.
Sources familiar with the probe indicated that six men and women have jointly submitted a complaint against Mishra, alleging exploitation and misconduct.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the extent of the alleged abuse and are examining whether more victims may have been involved. Police have appealed to anyone with information related to the case to come forward as the inquiry progresses.
