Shillong, September 17: In Maharashtra’s Palghar district, five individuals have been apprehended for allegedly subjecting a 35-year-old woman to repeated sexual assault over several years as part of a “black magic” ritual purportedly intended to bring peace and success to her family.
As per IANS, the suspects who are friends of the victim’s husband, exploited her vulnerability by promising to rectify supposed “vastu mistakes” in her home and counteract malevolent spells through black magic ceremonies, according to a police statement.
The torment began in April 2018 when the accused convinced the victim that her husband was under the influence of an evil spell. They insisted that her participation in specific rituals was necessary to restore peace.
The perpetrators would visit her home when she was alone, administer a spiked drink disguised as “panchamrit,” and then sexually assault her. These incidents occurred in various locations, including the Yeoor forest in Thane, a religious institution in Kandivali, and a resort in Lonavala.
Aside from the sexual assaults, the accused extorted money and gold from the victim, claiming these items were essential for rituals to guarantee peace, prosperity, and a secure government job for her husband. In total, they took away Rs 2.10 lakh in cash and valuable gold items.
After the woman filed a complaint on September 11, a police team took swift action and arrested the suspects. Authorities are currently investigating whether these individuals employed a similar method to victimize others.
The accused face multiple charges under the Indian Penal Code, including Sections 376 (rape), 376(2)(n) (repeatedly committing rape on the same woman), and 420 (cheating).
Furthermore, the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil, and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act of 2013 has been invoked in this case, according to Palghar’s Superintendent of Police Balasaheb Patil.