Phaltan man arrested for sexually abusing minor girl under guise of exorcism ritual
Police in Satara district's Phaltan arrested Saurabh Nana Madane, accused of performing an Aghori ritual on a minor girl and then assaulting her.
A shocking case of repeated sexual abuse of a minor girl has come to light in Phaltan in Satara district. It is alleged that, on the pretext that a ghost had entered the girl's body, an Aghori ritual was first performed and she was then assaulted. Phaltan City police have arrested the suspect, Saurabh Nana Madane.
The girl's family had lodged a complaint with the police. On the basis of that complaint, a case has been registered against the accused under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the anti-superstition and black magic law.
According to police, the suspect is alleged to have pretended that the girl's body was possessed by a ghost and to have performed an Aghori ritual on her. The investigation has found that a doll, lemons and a leather sling were used for the ritual. It is alleged that after this purported ritual the girl was taken to a secluded spot, where she was forcibly assaulted.
On learning of the incident, the family went to the police and filed a complaint. A case was then registered against the suspect at Phaltan City police station. Treating the matter as serious, police arrested the accused, and the investigation is continuing.
Dhanyakumar Godse, Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Phaltan, said efforts are being made to try the case in a fast-track court so that the accused gets a stringent sentence. He said the investigation is being conducted seriously and that, along with the available evidence, other aspects are also being questioned.
Meanwhile, the victim's family has made another serious allegation. The family says items suggesting that Aghori rites had been performed were placed outside their house. They also received a letter threatening to kill them. According to the family, this has created an atmosphere of fear at home.
Following the case, activists of Shivpratishthan Hindustan submitted a memorandum to the police administration, demanding the strictest possible action against the accused. The victim's family has also demanded a thorough investigation of the threat letter. Police are looking into all these matters.
