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Bihar Kathavachak Shravan Das Arrested for Allegedly Raping Minor on Marriage Pretext
A prominent religious storyteller (kathavachak) from Mithilanchal region in Bihar was arrested for allegedly sexually exploiting a minor girl by promising marriage. The accused rented a room in the victim's house and abused her for approximately one year, allegedly forcing her to undergo two abortions. His arrest followed a police investigation after an FIR was filed under POCSO Act.
Why It Matters
This case highlights vulnerabilities of minors to exploitation by trusted community figures and raises questions about delayed police action in high-profile cases. It also demonstrates the intersection of caste/religious authority abuse with sexual violence against children.
Timeline
8 Events
Accused produced before court
December 22, 2025
Shravan Das was presented before POCSO Special Judge Protima Parihar. The court granted 14 days of judicial custody and sent him to Darbhanga Central Jail.
Accused arrested
December 22, 2025
With technical cell assistance, police located Shravan Das hiding in a Housing Colony and arrested him. He was tracked using digital evidence and subsequently apprehended through coordinated police action.
SIT team formed for investigation
December 19, 2025
Senior Police Superintendent Jagannath Reddy formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by DSP Rajiv Kumar for the case.
Accused evades arrest during raid
Between December 19, 2025
During an initial police raid on his Lakshmi Sagar residence, Shravan Das evaded capture and went absconding. Police attempted to pressure the victim's family to drop charges.
FIR registered under POCSO Act
December 19, 2025
After initial delays, an FIR (Case No. 182/25) was registered at Darbhanga women's police station against Shravan Das and his guru Ram Udit Das under the POCSO Act. The delay was attributed to the case being classified as high-profile.
Victim's mother files complaint
December 3, 2025
The mother of the victim filed a complaint at the women's police station regarding the sexual exploitation and alleged forced abortions of her daughter.
Secret marriage ceremony conducted
November 29, 2024
A video of a closed-room marriage ceremony between Shravan Das and the minor girl circulated on social media. The ceremony was allegedly conducted by his guru Ram Udit Das (Mauni Baba) on this date.
Alleged exploitation begins
Approximately one year before complaint
Kathavachak Shravan Das, renting a room in the victim's house, allegedly began exploiting the minor girl by promising marriage and engaging in sexual abuse for around one year.