Sarathi to be under Odisha Crime Branch scanner

Bhubaneswar: Self-styled godman Sarathi alias Santosh Roul, who was released on a bail on Thursday, will be under the scanner of State Crime Branch.

The crime branch will keep a vigil on activities of Sarathi to ensure that he follows the bail conditions set by the Orissa High Court.

In case of failing to obey the court order, stringent action will be taken against him, said Crime Branch ADG Santosh Upadhyay today.

Sarathi walked out of bail from jail yesterday after the high court granted him a conditional bail last week.

He was released from the Choudwar Circle Jail after four years.

The self-proclaimed godman was arrested by the Crime Branch on August 8, 2015 from his Barimula ashram on charges of sexual and physical exploitation against women apart from cheating devotees.

Following his arrest a woman and her daughter had complained that Sarathi had exploited them both sexually and physically apart from defrauding them of their gold ornaments and money.