Police probe ordered in alleged escapade of godman

A police probe has been ordered to inquire into the allegations levelled against a self-syled godman and security beefed up near the ashram at Barimula after a mob tried to forcibly enter the premises in the wake of the alleged escapade of the ashram chief.
Agitations were witnessed in the last two days demanding arrest of the ashram chief, Srimad Sarathi Dev, after a private television channel showed pictures of the self-styled goman sitting in a hotel lobby and accused him of spending two days with a woman at a Hyderabad hotel.
The TV channel also alleged that the woman accompanying him to Hyderabad was shown as his wife in the hoetel record.

Sarathi, however, denied the charges and threatened to take legal action against the concerned television channel.
District collector Debraj Senapati has ordered a police inquiry over the allegations.
The district administration acted upon a written complaint lodged by Aul MLA Debendra Sharma, the collector said.

"The situation is under control and the police have taken necessary steps to ensure law and order situation in the area," Kendrapara SP Satish Gajviye said after visiting the ashram.
Stating that Sarathi Dev has been cooperating with the investigation, the SP said the police have started probe as per the directive of the district collector.

The SP, however, said that the police have not received any complaint from any victimised woman as alleged in the media.
"If prima facie evidence is established then only Sarathi Dev can be arrested," the SP said replying to a question.
Director General of Police (DGP) Sanjeev Marik said: "Appropriate action would be taken after investigations."
The police beefed up security at the ashram after a large number of angry people attempted to forcibly enter the ashram last evening.
Cooperation minister Damodar Rout said a probe is necessary to unearth the truth as it is a matter of faith of lakhs of people.

Congress MLA from Jeypore Tara Prasad Bahinipati said the truth will reveal if the probe is entrusted upon an independent agency like CBI.