Visakhapatnam: Vizag police arrested Swami Poornananda, head of the city-based Swami Gnanananda Ashram located at Venkojipalem here and houses an orphanage and old-age home, for allegedly torturing and repeatedly raping a 15-year-old girl inmate.

Police said here on Tuesday that the Swamiji was arrested based on a complaint made by the victim girl in Vijayawada, according to Assistant Commissioner of Police, Disha Police Station, Ch Vivekananda.

In the complaint, the victim stated that she was tortured and repeatedly sexually assaulted by the accused.

Based on the complaint from the victim, we have registered a case against him under Section 376 of IPC (punishment for rape) and relevant section under POCSO Act.

The victim girl was undergoing medical tests in Vijayawada, Vivekananda added.

There were 12 orphans in the Ashram, including four girls.

Meanwhile, the members of the Ashram alleged that the case against the Swamiji was a conspiracy to grab the valuable lands of it.

(With UNI inputs)