New Delhi, June 18: Self-proclaimed godman Daati Maharaj has come into the limelight after a 25-year-old girl accused him of raping her. After the girl's complaint, the Delhi Police Crime Branch initiated a probe against Daati Maharaj and filed a complaint against him under sections 376, 377, 354 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Daati Maharaj is also accused of being one of the reasons behind 600 girls have gone missing from his Shani Dham ashrams reportedly.

The Delhi-based godman has been on the run ever since the investigation began. In the latest development, an audio-clip of the Maharaj appealing to all his followers to maintain peace and calm is doing the rounds on social media. As per the audio clip, Daati Maharaj himself has asked his followers not to hold any dharna, or take law into their hands, as it will further hamper his fight against the alleged rape charges which have been levelled against him.

Delhi Police are trying to catch hold of him by conducting raids at various places.

Here is more about who Daati Maharaj is and what is the case against him:

    • Daati Maharaj has his ashrams in Delhi, Rajasthan and various other parts of North India reportedly.

    • The spiritual Maharaj is famous and has a number of followers who visit his ashrams to seek his blessings. He heads Shani Dham temple in Fatehpur Beri, Delhi.

    • Daati Maharaj was also regularly seen on TV shows on national news channels hosting programmes of his teachings. He has his own website and uses social media to promote himself. Reportedly he also owns a huge farmhouse in South Delhi.

    • The Delhi Police Crime Branch has summoned Daati along with his two other aides who are said to be his brothers for interrogation in the rape case.

The victim in her statement has told the police that Daati and his two other trusted men raped her. In her statement, she also said that she was forced by another female disciple to go into Daati's room. However, when she refused, she was told by her that other female disciples also slept with Maharaj.

On Sunday the police also visited his Rajasthan ashram to find further evidence in the case. According to news reports, Daati Maharaj raped the victim in the same ashram. The police have confiscated the CCTV cameras of the ashram to check the entire episode. Furthermore, the police have also provided security to the victim and her family members.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 18, 2018 03:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).