The source estimated that around 150 such monasteries, mutts and organisation were operating in and around Bodh Gaya
In the aftermath of alleged sexual assault of at least 15 Buddhist novices at a medication centre-cum-school in Bodh Gaya, the district administration has decided to do a background check of the functioning, facilities and provisions of all monasteries, mutts and similar Buddhist organisations in the temple town of Bihar.
The Gaya district administration has formed a team under the Sadar Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) which will inspect all Buddhist trusts and organisations in the area. "They will check for valid registration papers, whether all norms are being adhered to, and what are the facilities for residents which are provided or is lacking at the institutions. They will also interact with the resident to inquire about their well-being," a top source in the district administration told DNA.
The source estimated that around 150 such monasteries, mutts and organisation were operating in and around Bodh Gaya — believed to be one of the most popular pilgrim spot for Buddhists across the world where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment beneath a sacred Mahabodhi tree.
The International Buddhist Council (IBC) is also looking into the organisations which have "mushroomed" in the town in the last couple of decades, an IBC functionary said.
Meanwhile, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of police under the monitoring of Gaya Senior Superintendent of Police Rajiv Mishra is probing the case of Prajna Jyoti Buddhist Novice School and Medication Centre that is managed by Prajan Social Welfare Trust (PSWT). The statement of the 15 children have been recorded before magistrate S Kumar and the accused monk, Bhathe Sujoy, has been forwarded to judicial custody.
However, in a major security lapse, two caretakers of the Prajna centre managed to "escape" on Saturday evening on the pretext of going to the market to buy groceries. "Police surveillance was there, but they tricked the police. Hunt is on to nab them as they may have some crucial information," a police source said.
A similar incident of sexual assault in Buddhist "Sikhalay" had come to the fore in 2015, but the administration failed to detect irregularities at other institutions.
MONK IN SOUP
Police arrested senior Buddhist monk, Bhante Sanghpriya Sujoy after he was accused of sexually abusing 15 boys at a meditation centre in Gaya. The boys complained they had been beaten and forced to dance naked
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