Self-styled godman arrested in Thane for raping minor on pretext of ritual

A self-styled godman has been arrested in Maharashtra’s Thane district for allegedly raping a minor on the pretext of performing a ritual to ward off “evil spirits” haunting her house.

Confirming the arrest on Tuesday (May 12), police said that the accused Shahid Mohammad Wahid Shaikh (78), a resident of Ambernath, was apprehended on Monday (May 11), adding that he committed the crime last week.

Arrest after alleged assault

Elaborating further, the investigators said that the 15-year-old survivor had been living with her mother in Kalyan town. They further stated that the girl had been living there with her mother since the death of her father and grandmother a few months ago.

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Shaikh, who was acquainted with the mother, allegedly convinced them that an evil spirit was haunting their house.

"Under the pretext of performing rituals to cleanse their house, the accused gained entry into their residence. On May 2 and May 6, taking advantage of the mother's absence, the accused allegedly molested and raped the teen," an official said.

Booked under POCSO, black magic law

The accused has been booked under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, and the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, he said.

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Shaikh was apprehended and produced before a local court, which remanded him to police custody till May 13, he said, adding that further probe is underway.

Similar case in Nashik

Earlier in March, a self-styled astrologer and numerologist, who allegedly enjoyed close ties with several political leaders in Maharashtra, was arrested in Nashik in connection with a rape case, triggering a political storm in the State with Opposition parties targeting the ruling coalition.

Police said that the accused, Ashokkumar Kharat, a retired Merchant Navy officer who called himself “Captain”, was apprehended on March 18 for allegedly sexually assaulting a 35-year-old woman over a period of more than three years.

How he lured the survivor

According to investigators, Kharat allegedly lured the survivor to his office in Nashik’s Canada Corner area on the pretext of astrological consultations, claiming her husband’s life was under threat.

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Officials said he allegedly administered sedative-laced drinks before committing the crime. Police further stated that 58 videos, including objectionable clips stored on a pen drive, were recovered from the accused. He has been booked under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the State’s anti-black magic law.

(With agency inputs)