Thiruvananthapuram: A sexually harassed woman chopped off the genitals of the self-proclaimed godman. The incident occurred in Kollam of Kerala early on Saturday and the sex-crazed sanyasi was identified as 54-year-old Sreehari alias Ganeshananda Theerthapada Swami. The Swami is now being treated in a hospital.

The doctors treating Swami said almost 90 of the penis has been severed. A team of medical professionals conducted a plastic surgery on the Swami to stop the blood loss and to enable him to urinate.

The 23-year-old woman said that she has been subjected to rape from Class 12 and wanted to take revenge. She said her mother was aware of it but kept quiet. She further told the police that godman frequently visited their house to conduct religious ceremonies.

The 23-year-old woman said that she has been subjected to rape from Class 12 and wanted to take revenge

The police said the girl resorted to the extreme act as she knew that no one would believe that she had been sexually assaulted by a man of God. "So, this was perhaps the only thing she could think of," said Circle inspector of Pettai station.

Prameela Devi, member of the Kerala State Women's Commission, said she was proud of the girl for doing this. Such an act by anyone especially when it comes under the guise of a religion was in no way acceptable, Devi said. The police filed a case against Swami under sections 376 (rape) of IPC and under sections of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO).