‘Understand the feelings, nothing forced’:Baba clad in saffron robes raped minor inside Rewa Circuit House; lured her for blessings

Today in Madhya Pradesh Crime Files, we cover the infamous Rewa Circuit House incident that shook politics and society in the state. This case exposed the dark truth behind the robes of so-called religious gurus and the frightening nexus of powerful individuals. A man disguised as a sadhu, along with his criminal associates, sexually assaulted a minor girl. The baba had lured her under the pretext of giving blessings. What really happened at Rewa’s Circuit House that day? And what was a famous storyteller—whose sermons drew thousands—doing at a liquor party with criminals in a VIP guest house? Read – Madhya Pradesh Crime Files part-1 March 28, 2022: A girl running frantically on the road Around 11 PM in Rewa, the city streets were becoming deserted. Ankit Baghel was walking with his friend Saurabh from College Square towards the old bus stand. Suddenly, they saw a girl running frantically in front of a car. A white Bolero followed her closely, as if chasing her. The girl had a bag in her hand. Her hair was messy, her clothes dishevelled, and fear was written all over her face. She ran on, terrified. Near Maharaja Hotel, she stopped Ankit and Saurabh for help. She was out of breath and could barely speak. Everyone was shocked by the girl’s story Seeing her condition, Ankit realised the situation was serious. There was no hope of catching a bus late at night, and leaving her alone could invite danger. He made her sit on his bike and took her directly to the Civil Line police station. Even there, the girl’s fear did not subside. She could not speak in front of the police. Officers gave her water and tried to calm her, but that night she could not explain what had happened. The next day, when her family arrived and police assured her safety, she finally narrated her story—leaving everyone stunned. The girl told the police that some people had forcibly given her alcohol and then gang-raped her at the Circuit House, considered the city’s safest place. When she revealed the accused, even the police writing the FIR trembled. She had accused a famous storyteller saint, whose arrival the city was eagerly awaiting. Web of Conspiracy: How did Kajal get trapped? At 10 AM on March 28, Kajal (name changed), a girl from an ordinary family with dreams of education and independence, left home to deposit her college fees. Her name was missing from the college list, so she could not pay the fees. Her phone rang. It was Vinod Pandey, known in the city as ‘Dada’. Vinod was a history-sheeter with connections to politicians and officials. He was an acquaintance of Kajal and asked, with familiarity, “Kajal, where are you? Is there any college work left?” Kajal explained her problem. Assured of completing the work On Vinod’s assurance, Kajal reached Rewa around 12 PM. Vinod called her again, asking her to come near Sainik School. Kajal refused, saying she was going to college. At college, she tried again to deposit her fees, but her name was still not on the list. Disappointed, she sat at the college until about 3 PM. Vinod called again, this time with more confidence: “Your work is done. Come near Sainik School. Let’s eat together here, then go to college to complete the formalities.” That Circuit House room where dignity was imprisoned Circuit House is a government building where VVIP guests, ministers, and high-ranking officials stay. Security is tight. Trusting Vinod’s assurance and the reputation of Circuit House, Kajal reached near Sainik School by auto. It was around 4 PM. Kajal told Vinod she had no money for the auto, only fees. Vinod said, “Wait, I’m sending a boy.” A white car soon arrived. A boy got out, gave the auto driver Rs 100, and asked Kajal to get in. What the saint said in the room shocked Kajal Before she could react, she was taken to a room on the second floor of the Circuit House. Vinod was already there. Seeing her frightened, he said, “Don’t be scared, this is an administrative place. No danger. A revered saint will arrive shortly. Meet him, take his blessings, then we’ll go to college.” Half an hour later, a long-haired man in red dhoti-kurta entered, accompanied by a young man introduced as his ‘disciple’. Vinod said, “This is the famous saint I was talking about. He eats and drinks with us like a friend.” Vinod says: ‘Please the saint, all your wishes will be fulfilled’ Kajal grew terrified. She asked to leave, but Vinod stopped her. His tone changed: “Where will you go now? It’s late. Please Saint Maharaj, if you get his blessings, your life will be transformed. He associates with important people and owns millions.” Soon, Monu—the boy who brought her—arrived with liquor. Vinod sent him to get snacks. The group began drinking alcohol in the VIP room. Cannabis was also present. The storyteller dressed as a saint consumed both alcohol and cannabis, blowing smoke rings. Kajal was terrified. She repeatedly asked to leave, but the four refused. Young woman forcibly given alcohol Vinod told Kajal, “Eat and drink, sit comfortably. This is normal, it keeps happening.” He fed her chowmein and manchurian. Afraid, Kajal secretly recorded the room with her phone. The saint snatched it. Her sister called. Vinod forcibly made her lie about her plans. He made her claim she would stay at a friend’s hostel. Vinod then forced her to drink alcohol. A night of brutality and a girl’s screams Alone with the saint, Kajal was pulled onto a bed. Her screams were muffled. The saint threatened, “Now I will have to use force.” He raped her. Kajal pleaded, but no one listened. Afterwards, the saint threatened, “I have high-level connections. If you tell anyone, I will eliminate your family.” Using Kajal’s phone, he called Vinod and the disciple. They took her downstairs, where food was arranged, and she was fed forcibly as if nothing had happened. Courage, escape, and fight for justice Kajal later got into a car, then jumped out and ran near Maharaja Hotel. She saw Ankit and his friend. Terrified, she explained that the car driver was chasing her. They took her to the Civil Line police station. The accused, upon learning of her escape, fled from the Circuit House immediately. Vinod and his companions also vanished. The next day, Kajal filed the FIR, and the story spread rapidly across the city. Questions remain This incident raised serious questions about the administrative system. Police set up roadblocks and searched every vehicle leaving the city, but the accused were nowhere to be found. Read Part 2 of Madhya Pradesh Crime Files…