Notice issued to Kartik Maharaj in rape & forced abortion case, asked to appear at police station

Padma Shri recipient Swami Pratiptanand, popularly known as Kartik Maharaj, has been booked on charges of rape, cheating, and forced abortion in Murshidabad district’s Nawagram police station. Based on a written complaint filed by a woman, the police have issued a notice summoning him to appear at the station on July 1 for questioning.

According to the complainant, the alleged incidents began in 2013 when Kartik Maharaj reportedly offered her a teaching position at a primary school run by an ashram in the Chanakya area of Nawagram. She stated that she was also given a room to stay near the school. One night, Kartik Maharaj allegedly entered her room and forced her into a sexual relationship. She has claimed that the sexual contact continued repeatedly over time.

The woman further alleged that when she became pregnant, she was pressured into terminating the pregnancy against her will. Her complaint includes allegations of deception, repeated sexual assault, and coercion. Based on her statement, a case has been registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including charges of rape and fraud.

On June 24, a team from Nawagram police visited the Bharat Seva Ashram Sangh’s office in Beldanga, where Kartik Maharaj usually resides. As he was not present at the time, the police handed over the notice to an official of the institution, instructing him to appear at the police station on July 1 for further investigation.

In response to the case, Kartik Maharaj said, “I am a monk. Crises come in a monk’s life. This is not new.” He refused to comment further and mentioned that his legal team is handling the matter. Police officials stated that they intend to directly question him and verify the claims. If he fails to comply with the notice, further legal steps may follow.