A disturbing tale of manipulation and abuse has emerged from Bihar’s Mithilanchal region, where a celebrated ‘Kathavachak’ or religious storyteller has been jailed for the sexual exploitation of a minor. Shravan Das, who enjoyed a significant following, is now facing life imprisonment under the POCSO Act. The details of the case reveal a dark pattern of grooming that started at a temple event and ended in the repeated physical and mental violation of a young girl. The local administration has vowed to take the strictest possible action against the accused to set a precedent.
The victim’s mother told investigators that Shravan Das initially presented himself as a pious and trustworthy figure. After obtaining her phone number, he maintained regular contact with the family, eventually convincing them to let him stay in their home. This move was a calculated step to bypass any parental supervision. Once inside the household, the preacher allegedly began a cycle of exploitation that lasted for nearly a year. He reportedly convinced the girl that they would marry once she turned 18, a lie used to keep her silent while the abuse continued.
The most horrific aspect of the case involves the forced terminations of pregnancies. The minor was allegedly forced to take medication to abort on two separate occasions, which brought her to the brink of a medical emergency. The police have emphasized that the forensic and medical data collected so far strongly supports the victim’s testimony. Meanwhile, the search for Shravan Das’s associate, Mouni Baba, has been intensified. Authorities are conducting raids across the state to ensure that every individual involved in covering up or facilitating these crimes is brought to justice.