Kochi yoga centre sexually abuses female converts, blackmails them with nudes: former teacher tells HC

A Kerala man, who was working with the controversial yoga centre in Thrippunithura, has submitted an affidavit at the Kerala High Court, revealing the torture and exploitation taking place there in the name of 'ghar wapsi'.

AV Krishnakumar, a former teacher at the Siva Sakthi Yogavidya Kendram based in Kandanad near Thrippunithura, has alleged that the place operates under the facade of a yoga centre and is essentially a jail for converts. 

Also read:  Ghar wapsi: '65 women held captive, tortured in Kochi yoga centre'

The Hindu Helpline service brings youth who converted from Hinduism or were part of interfaith marriages to the place. These recruits are then tortured both mentally and physically till they agree to return to Hinduism.

The women who are brought to the centre are allegedly beaten up with canes, while some are even sexually abused. Krishnakumar also said they are injected with drugs till they lose consciousness, and are later blackmailed with their nude visuals.

Krishnakumar states that he has witnessed the centre's authorities assaulting inmates and forcing them to return to Hinduism. He has asked the court to make him a party in the case.

Read more: Athira denies torture allegations after police action against Yoga Centre

Meanwhile, the High Court has reserved the case of doctor Shwetha Haridasan, who recently revealed that she was tied up and beaten at the yoga centre for marrying a Christian man, to October 17.

The court will hear the complaint filed by Shwetha's husband Rinto and the petition submitted by her parents on the same day. The bench has asked the police to file the report of the investigation soon.