A powerful religious leader in India, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, has been arrested for hypnotizing more than 400 men to cut off their penises as this will draw them closer to God.
The 47-year-old Signh who has about 50 million followers all over the world, coerced the men to carry out the action if they wanted to remain pious and free from sexual sins in their quest to be at one with God.
Singh is now facing charges of causing grievous bodily harm.
According to the police investigation, Singh’s followers cut off their private parts at a hospital run by him.
Singh has previously been questioned over the murder of an investigative journalist and has also been accused of sexual assault, but has never been charged.
One of the participants in the bizarre ritual, Hans Raj Chauhan, told police that he cut off his private parts because he thought he will be a social outcast if he refused to carry out the operation required by Singh.
Singh had told his followers that only those who are castrated, will be able to find God.