33 women and 12 men were being held in secret chambers in Uttar Pradesh ashrams. The ashrams were being run by godman Virendra Dev Dixit, and a police raiding team found the people who had been held captive.

"The operation to take out the occupants of the ashram started at around 7 am both at Kampil's Chaudharain Colony and Sikatarbagh in Farrukhabad city. Expecting resistance, heavy police force was roped in. The elder women (who are called 'sisters' in the ashram) initially refused to open the metal door, but later they gave in under police pressure and let us in,” said a police officer.

They were bolted with heavy iron shutters, and one had to walk on their knees to enter each chamber. The women were sleeping on the floor on mats, and the windows had iron grills.

The officer recalled how the three storey building had over a dozen dark and congested chambers undergrounds. They were bolted with heavy iron shutters, and one had to walk on their knees to enter each chamber. The women were sleeping on the floor on mats, and the windows had iron grills.

The women were from UP, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Nepal. They were all rushed to the nearest hospital, but refused to undergo a medical examination.

Superintendent of police, Farrukhabad, Mrigendra Singh said that none of the women said that they suffered from any harassment or assault.

My parents left me here five years ago and since then I have been gaining spiritual knowledge 

One of the women said, “My parents left me here five years ago and since then I have been gaining spiritual knowledge.” However she did not comment on whether she had suffered any sexual harassment during her time at the ashram.

The police said that the ‘baba’ was not found there and that nothing objectionable was found on the premises

The police said that the ‘baba’ was not found there and that nothing objectionable was found on the premises. Only some literature and x-rays were discovered and have been sent for a forensic examination. The police are finding out whether the baba owned more ashrams.

The baba has been absconding, and had been booked in four gang rape cases. He has also been accused with kidnapping a woman and wanting to murder her.

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