The head of a religious math in Belagavi district has been arrested on charges of kidnapping and repeatedly raping a 17-year-old girl on Saturday (May 24), news agency PTI reported, citing the police.

The accused, Hathayogi Lokeshwar Swami (30), who heads the Ram Mandir Math in Mekali village of Raibag taluk, was taken into custody on Thursday following a complaint lodged by the survivor.

According to police, the minor was initially taken to the math by her family for spiritual intervention after relatives suggested that the swami could help cure her illness and personal difficulties.

In her statement, the girl alleged that the incident occurred on May 13, when the swami offered her a ride while she was returning from a relative’s home.

She has accused the swami of kidnapping her and taking her to multiple locations in Raichur and Bagalkot, where she was confined and sexually assaulted over a span of three days. She further alleged that after the assaults, he left her at the Mahalingpur bus stand and threatened to kill her if she spoke about the ordeal.

The incident came to light after the girl informed her father, who then encouraged her to approach the police.

“Based on her complaint, a case under relevant sections of the Protection of Children Against Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act was registered against the Swami and he was arrested on Thursday,” a senior police officer told PTI.

The case has sparked concern in the region, with local residents demanding strict action and accountability.