World · India Bureau
Self-styled godman arrested for rape of minor in Maharashtra
Police in Latur, Maharashtra have arrested a fraudulent spiritual leader accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl under the pretext of removing astrological defects. The crime came to light after the victim became pregnant.
LSN India ·
Law enforcement in Latur district have arrested Rameshwar Ramdasi Maharaj, a self-proclaimed religious practitioner, on charges of raping a minor girl. According to police records, the accused convinced the teenager that she had a Kundli dosha, or astrological flaw, that could only be remedied through a relationship with him.
The victim, aged 17, fell victim to the fraud after approaching the godman seeking spiritual guidance. The accused exploited her vulnerability and the family's faith in his supposed mystical powers to commit the assault over a period of time.
The case came to the attention of authorities when family members discovered the girl was pregnant. Following a formal complaint filed by the victim's family, Latur police launched an investigation and subsequently apprehended the accused. The arrest marks another instance of exploitation by fraudulent spiritual practitioners who prey on vulnerable sections of society.
Police have registered a case against Maharaj under relevant sections pertaining to sexual assault of a minor. Investigations are ongoing to determine if other victims may have been targeted by the accused using similar tactics.