Delhi ashram matter: HC directs accused baba to appear before it

Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Chief Swati Maliwal on Friday said the High Court had directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate the alleged illegal confinement of girls and women in an ashram owned by Baba Virender Dikshit and had asked the accused baba to appear before it.

"The High Court has ordered accused Baba Virender Dev Dikshit to appear before it. It was learnt that there are eight more ashrams of the baba in Delhi. DCW requested the inspection of these ashrams," Maliwal told media here.

Maliwal also added the High Court had ordered DCW, the Delhi Police and two senior lawyers to inspect the matter.

"More than 40 girls who were kept under illegal confinement have been rescued from an ashram in Delhi's Rohini. Baba Virendra Dev Diskhit should be arrested immediately. The High Court has also ordered DCW, the Delhi Police and two senior lawyers to inspect the matter," she added.

The rescue operation was carried out after the Delhi High Court formed a panel consisting of lawyers and the DCW chief, to inspect the premises of the so-called institute, owned by the Baba Virender Dikshit where girls and women were allegedly kept in illegal confinement.

Maliwal also tweeted yesterday: "Finally, after three days, in a mammoth operation, 41 minor girls were rescued from Baba Virender Dikshit Ashram with the help of CWC and the Delhi Police. These girls will now be counselled; their parents will be contacted and their ages will be verified. This place needs to be shut and the baba should be arrested!"

The rescued girls, who were sent to the shelter homes, will now be counselled.

The residents of the area alleged that these minors had been "trapped" inside the ashram and were trained to work as sex workers.