Leader of Hindu sect in Granada accused of abuse

The Granada prosecutor, Emilia Rancaño, has denounced the Guru of the Hindu community based at Armilla, Granada, accusing 51 year old Antonio Javier R.P. of carrying out ‘abusive and coercive practices’ on members of the collective. He is accused of benefitting economically and sexually from the followers.

The prosecutor’s inspection of the case, which started last June, has detected 22 victims of the Guru, 13 women and 9 men. She considers the Guru had ‘captured’ people to ‘satisfy his personal interests’, using Yoga and massage classes as his attraction.

There are reports that members of the community were allowed only one meal and three hours sleep a day, kept under control by methods of group persuasion, with those who managed to leave needing psychological help afterwards. One of those affected told El País, ‘The degree of manipulation reached the point that you could not even think badly of the master, as you would be setting your own punishment’.

The prosecutor says she found evidence of not only psychological violence, but physical violence too, and notes the Guru had sexual access to many of the community members. He had used his powers to obtain the assets and money belonging to many of his followers.

The Vaidika Partisana Sangha religious community was registered in 2008, but has been acting as an association since the 80’s. Those affected are said to be from right across Spain.

A judge in an instruction court will now continue with the investigation of the case.


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