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A preacher allegedly convinced 400 men to cut off their own testicles to bring them closer to God.

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, who is head of the socio-spiritual organisation Dera Sacha Sauda, told his 50 million followers to carry out castrations on themselves.

The procedures, which witnesses claim were conducted at a hospital owned by Singh, took place around the year 2000, but those involved are speaking out for the first time.

Dubbed 'the guru in bling’, Singh has an estimated net worth of £26m and has even starred in films.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, 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.