400 men cut off their testicles to 'get closer to God'

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh (Photo Courtesy)

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh allegedly convinced up to 400 men to carry out castrations on themselves because it would bring them closer to God.

The procedures, which witnesses claim were conducted at a hospital owned by Singh, took place around the year 2000.

But the 400 men are speaking out for the first time after guru Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh told his followers to castrate themselves 17 years ago

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is head of the socio-spiritual organisation Dera Sacha Sauda. He has more than 50 million followers worldwide.

Gurmeet has more than 50 million followers (Photo Courtesy)

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s Twitter profile describes him as "Spiritual Saint/Philanthropist/Versatile Singer/Allrounder Sportsperson/Film Director/Actor/Art Director/Music Director/ Writer/Lyricist/Autobiographer/DOP"

Dubbed 'the guru in bling’, Singh has an estimated net worth of who has an estimated net worth of Sh4.126 billion and has even starred in films.

The Guru in Bling (Photo Courtesy)

The Guru has been in trouble with the law but has never been convicted. He was charged with conspiracy involving the murder of an investigative journalist in 2002 and several female followers claim he sexually assaulted them but he has never been convicted.

The current case was brought by India’s Central Bureau of Investigation, who accuse Singh of grievous bodily harm. 

In December 2016, the court announced that the castrations, though consensual, was not an “act of humanity.” The case is still pending in court.