Mumbai: Monk convicted of molestation kills himself in Ghatkopar

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A 71-year-old monk died by suicide inside a Jain temple in Ghatkopar East on Thursday, leaving behind a note that said he was following his guru's orders. During the investigation, the police found that deceased Manhar Muni Pranbhay Desai was convicted last week for molesting a girl and had been told to surrender.

Around 6.40 am, the caretaker of Hingwala Lane Derasar reached the temple to open its gates. He saw the monk hanging from a ceiling fan. Desai was taken to Rajawadi Hospital where doctors declared him dead. The police said Desai has left a suicide note in Gujarati, addressed to Mumbai police commissioner. It reads, "Nobody is responsible for my death. I decided to give up my body as per the instructions of my guru who appeared in my dreams. Everyone has to face his own karma, Whatever happens, is justice." Sources said the note also mentions some names asking for forgiveness. mid-day could not immediately get the details.

On May 4, Desai was convicted for molesting a girl in Jain Sthanak on SL Road at Mulund West in March 2012. As per court documents, Desai had taken the girl inside a room on the pretext of performing some rituals but behaved inappropriately with her. When she resisted, he threatened her with death. As soon as the girl left the room, she alerted her father and relatives. Desai was taken to Mulund police station.

The additional metropolitan magistrate court sentenced Desai to two years rigorous imprisonment with a fine of Rs 50,000. The monk then moved the sessions court which too held him guilty and ordered him to surrender.

"We have registered an accidental death report. He [Desai] has not blamed anyone nor has he mentioned the legal proceedings in the note. We will wait for the post-mortem report before commenting on the motive," said DCP (Zone VII) Prashant Kadam.

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