Police has arrested a religious ashram operator in Chitwan district on charge of sexually abusing physically disabled women.

Bishnu Prasad Sharma, operator of Ganesh Disabled Religious Service Center in Bharatpur metropolis was arrested on Thursday evening by Chitwan police. DSP Prabhu Prasad Dhakal informed Sharma had sexually abused physically disabled women living at his center.

Dhakal said based on the complaint filed Sharma had sexually abused two women, a 27-year-old intellectually disabled and a 19-year-old physically disabled, at the center on April 14. The incidents became public only on Thursday.

Police has arrested operator Sharma and shut down the center. Six persons, including the victims, living in the center have been shifted elsewhere.

A committee has been formed to investigate the charges against Sharma. Meanwhile, operator Sharma has denied any wrongdoings.