A 60-year-old woman was duped of gold jewellery and cash by a man posing as a spiritual healer under the jurisdiction of Adhartal Police Station. According to police, complainant Kiran Gotiya, a resident of Chhoti Khairi Karonda Nala area, lodged a complaint on May 21 regarding an incident that took place on April 30. In her complaint, Kiran charged that Pancham Chauhan arrived at her house with another unidentified man, claiming to be familiar with her son. At the time, she and her daughter-in-law Sarita Prajapati were present at home. The accused told the family that evil spirits haunted their house and offered to perform a ritual to remove the negative influence. He asked them to bring an empty box and a bedsheet, then made the complainant sit on the floor while performing rituals using religious items. Kiran claimed she suddenly felt disoriented during the process, while the accused continued assuring her that everything would soon be normal.

 

According to the complaint, the accused then convinced her to place her gold necklace in a vessel filled with water as part of the ritual. He also asked for her daughter-in-law’s gold pendant, claiming it was necessary for the ritual. The complainant further alleged that the accused demanded Rs 20,000 for conducting the ritual. After collecting the money and jewellery, he instructed the family to remain standing in wet clothes while he stepped out to complete the ritual, but never returned. Realising they had been cheated, the family approached police. A case has been registered under Sections 318(4) and 3(5) of BNS and investigation is underway.