In a disturbing case of exploitation through superstition, the Badlapur East police in Thane have registered a formal case against three individuals for allegedly swindling a 63-year-old retired man of a staggering Rs 9.78 lakh. The accused reportedly preyed on the victim's deep-seated fears of black magic and malevolent spirits, orchestrating a prolonged scam that lasted nearly three years.
Victim's Ordeal and Police Action
The victim, a resident of Deonar in Govandi, finally approached the authorities after realizing he had been systematically deceived over an extended period. According to police officials, the fraudulent scheme commenced in August 2022 when the accused—identified as Brahmadutt Ingle, Shivling Ingle, and Bhavani Ingle—conspired to manipulate the elderly couple.
Modus Operandi: Exploiting Superstitious Fears
The trio allegedly convinced the victim and his wife that their family was under severe supernatural threat. "They claimed that someone had unleashed a ‘Pishacha’ or evil spirit upon their household," explained a police officer involved in the investigation. The accused terrorized the couple by predicting that their daughter would face life-threatening consequences unless expensive religious rituals were performed without delay.
Under the guise of warding off these spirits, the suspects instructed the victim that they needed to visit a religious site to conduct specialized ritual ceremonies. Over the subsequent two years, the perpetrators extracted a total of ₹9.78 lakh from the vulnerable couple. The payments were made in both cash and gold jewellery, with the accused insisting these offerings were indispensable for their family's safety and well-being.
Scam Unravels and Legal Proceedings
The elaborate deception began to unravel when the promised supernatural protection failed to materialize, prompting the victim to recognize he was being fleeced. Police authorities emphasized that the accused utilized fear as a primary weapon to execute financial fraud, targeting individuals' beliefs and vulnerabilities.
A formal case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 for charges of cheating and intimidation. Additionally, relevant sections of the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013 have been invoked. While the investigation remains ongoing, police have issued a stern caution to citizens, urging vigilance against such anti-social elements who exploit superstitious beliefs for monetary gain.
