Indian man jailed 20 years in France for leading sadistic Nazi cult that tortured girls

A Paris court has sentenced Rohan Rane, a 29-year-old Indian man, to 20 years in prison for his role in leading a sinister Nazi cult that subjected young girls to sexual abuse and torture. Prosecutors had pushed for a 30-year sentence, describing Rane as a Nazi enthusiast who reveled in sadism and brutal violence.

The victims of Rane's group, known as "CVLT," largely comprised American girls under 15 years old. Other members hailed from the United States, India, Germany, and New Zealand. Six of the girls, now aged 18 to 21, reported the abuse to authorities. Although about 20 victims were identified, some remained unreachable.

The "CVLT" group, driven by nihilism, racism, antisemitism, and Nazi ideals, became active on the Discord platform around the time of the Covid-19 pandemic. Rane, a 29-year-old aspiring sports coach, recruited vulnerable young girls through online forums, luring them with promises of fame and fortune. Once ensnared, the girls were subjected to horrific acts, including forced sexual acts, self-harm, and the etching of Nazi symbols and insults onto their bodies.

One American participant from the group faced a rape charge in the United States for the 2021 assault of a 12-year-old girl. Rane's arrest in France in 2021 was a result of information shared by US authorities, who also alerted the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children about the group's activities. The French court proceedings were initially closed at the request of US officials, even though some American victims had urged for a public demonstration of Rane's sentence.

The court found Rane guilty of extortion as part of an organized gang, with the added cruelty of the torture and barbarity he inflicted on his victims. US authorities plan to seek his extradition once his 20-year sentence in France is completed.