Murshidabad/Kolkata: Padma Shri awardee Swami Pradiptananda, popularly known as Kartik Maharaj, was issued a legal notice asking him to face questioning in connection with a rape allegation. The notice, which was delivered by cops from Beldanga police station to Bharat Sevashram Sangha authorities on Monday, said he must appear for questioning at Nabagram police station at 10am on July 1 to verify the facts and circumstances related to the allegations. Kartik Maharaj, however, told TOI that he would not be able to appear for the summons because he was travelling. “I have met lawyers in this regard and will take legal action. I have faith in the judiciary, and despite some harsh sections being slapped on me wrongfully, I am confident that the truth will prevail,” he said.Police said they would decide on the next step after studying the response from Kartik Maharaj or his legal team. The district’s senior police officers had spoken to the survivor extensively last week. The Beldanga chapter of Bharat Sevashram Sangha is yet to issue an official statement on the allegations.In her complaint filed with Nabagram police, the woman alleged that Kartik Maharaj promised her a job at one of the ashram’s schools in Dec 2012. The survivor said she was accommodated at the school hostel in Jan 2013, with an assurance that she would soon be hired. “However, almost every day he would take me to a room on the fifth floor of the premises and rape me,” she said.
