Nashik: Woman Duped Of ₹77,000 In Occult Ritual Promising Marriage To Boyfriend

Nashik: A self-styled occult practitioner has been arrested for allegedly cheating a woman on the pretext of helping her marry her boyfriend. The accused, identified as Vishal Ramdas Khadangale, allegedly extorted ₹77,000 from the woman by conducting an occult ritual at Nashik’s Amardham crematorium in the middle of the night. The incident has caused a stir across the city.

According to information available, the victim had travelled from Valsad in Gujarat to Nashik with her boyfriend. She claimed that she had been in a relationship with Jitu Pawar for four years. However, after Pawar refused to marry her, the woman came into contact with the self-styled occult practitioner, who allegedly assured her that he could arrange the marriage.

As part of the alleged ritual, an occult ceremony was conducted at the Amardham crematorium at midnight. During the ritual, ashes from a cremated body, lemons and puffed rice were allegedly thrown onto the woman. The accused reportedly collected ₹77,000 from her in exchange for performing the ritual.

When the marriage did not take place even after the ritual, the woman realised that she had been cheated. When she demanded her money back, she allegedly faced threats and physical assault from the occult practitioner and his associate.

The woman subsequently approached the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANS) and lodged a complaint at Bhadrakali Police Station. A case has been registered under the anti-superstition and black-magic law along with other relevant sections. Police arrested both Vishal Khadangale and his associate Jitu Pawar in connection with the case.

State Principal Secretary of the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti Dr T. R. Gorane, state member Krishna Chandgude, Prahlad Mistry, district working president Prof. Asha Landge, Mahendra Datarange, Ranjan Londhe and others worked to ensure legal action against the accused and justice for the victim.