Head of Rohini ashram where girls were abused faces Delhi High Court wrath

The Delhi High Court has indicated that a warrant should be issued against the head of the Ashram in Rohini.

The court's move came after a probe was conducted into a matter by CBI.

A case of alleged sexual assault of women/minor girls in a residential facility of Ashram was notified to the court by a PIL.

The PIL was filed by NGO foundation for Social Empowerment and it informed that several minors and women were illegally confined. 

The high court said that the warrant will be issued against the head, Virender Dev Dikshit, if details of the ashram are not submitted. 

The court has asked that if the girls were not illegally confined why were they kept behind locked doors. The bench also wanted an answer as to why the founder was not making an appearance if he is genuine and honest.

The High Cout has also put an enquiry asking the financial status and the source of funding of the ashram. The court has also asked for a quick response related to a list of all eight ashrams of Virendra Dev Dikshit. The court also questioned the meditation being taught if the inmates are being forcibly kept in prison-like conditions. 

A resident residing in the area has said that several complaints were taken to the police in the last 20-22 years, however, nothing was availed. 

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar has asked the founder of the Adhyatmik Vishwa Vidyalaya in North Delhi Rohini to appear before January 4. 

The High court had initiated a CBI investigation into the matter after claims had surfaced saying that girls and women were put under illegal confinement in an " animal-like" condition behind metal doors in a "Fortress" surrounded by barbed wires. 

(With input from agencies)