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Under the guise of religion, faith and superstition, the police is continuing its tough crackdown against the fake Tantriks and so-called spiritual doctors who take advantage of the helplessness of innocent and helpless people. In a sensational case, the police have caught a Maulvi of a local Dargah red handed on serious charges of obscenity, molestation and criminal threats to a helpless woman in the name of Tantra Mantra, exorcism and treatment of incurable disease. The accused Maulvi was continuously mentally intimidating the victim by falsely promising her relief from illness and family distress and was putting undue pressure on her by calling her to a secluded room of the Dargah in the dark of night on the pretext of ‘special spiritual ritual’.
Based on the written complaint of the victim and the technical evidence collected in the preliminary investigation, the police took prompt cognizance and registered a First Information Report (FIR) under relevant and non-bailable sections of the Indian Justice Code (BNS). After this, a special police team laid siege and arrested the accused and after producing him in the court, sent him to jail in judicial custody. While this promptness of the police has given hope to the victim of justice, it has also increased awareness among other people of the area to avoid the clutches of fake Tantrikas.
The web of superstition and a conspiracy to scare: How was the victim made a victim?
According to the case registered with the police, the victim was going through severe physical illness and family problems for a long time. Despite getting treatment from many doctors and hospitals, when he did not get the expected relief, on the advice of an acquaintance, he contacted this Maulvi who claimed to perform tantra-mantra and exorcism in the Dargah. Initially the accused lured the woman with his sweet and sympathetic words and claimed that she was under the terrible influence of some ‘invisible shadow’ or ‘black magic’ which could not be cured with normal medicines.
Gradually, the accused created such an atmosphere of fear in the mind of the woman that if she did not complete the activities told by him, her children and family could be in deadly danger. Taking advantage of this psychological pressure, the Maulvi first extorted thousands of rupees illegally in the name of amulets, special oils and worship rituals. After this he told the woman that to eradicate the disease, ‘special spiritual prayer at midnight’ was necessary, for which she would have to come alone to a closed room in the Dargah complex. When the woman reached there under compulsion, the accused started indecent acts and obscenities with her.
The web of superstition, the creepy midnight game and strict police action: How was the fake cleric exposed?
When the woman strongly opposed the nefarious activities of the Maulvi, the accused came into his true and aggressive form. He threatened the victim that he had such powers of Tantra Vidya that he would destroy her entire family. He also threatened that if she told anyone about this incident, he would defame her in the society. Tired of constant threats and mental harassment, the victim finally gathered courage and informed her family members about the entire incident.
With the cooperation of family members, the matter was immediately brought to the notice of senior police officials. Considering the sensitivity of the case, the Deputy Superintendent of Police and the station in-charge recorded the detailed statement of the victim under the supervision of female police officers. The police seized the call detail records (CDR) of the accused’s mobile phone, chats and footage of CCTV cameras installed around the Dargah as forensic evidence. As soon as they got solid evidence, the police conducted a raid and arrested the accused. During interrogation, the accused admitted to tricking many women and extorting money from them in the name of Tantra-Mantra.
Legal troubles: Case registered under serious sections of BNS
A case has been registered against the accused under several serious and non-bailable provisions of the Indian Justice Code (BNS) and the Information Technology Act (IT Act):
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Insulting the dignity of a woman and attempting to outrage her modesty (Section 74/75 BNS): A case was registered under assault or use of criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty.
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Fraud and fraudulent intention (Section 318 BNS): Sections of fraud have been imposed for extorting money by making false claims of Tantra-Mantra and magical cure.
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Criminal intimidation and blackmailing (Section 351 BNS): The offense of threatening to kill or socially humiliate the victim and her family.
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Provisions of Anti-Superstition Act: Under the anti-black magic and superstition acts applicable in many states, making false claims of supernatural or tantric cure of any disease also comes under the category of punishable offence.
Police officials say that they will include all the scientific and documentary evidence in the charge sheet on time to ensure fast-track hearing of the case in the court so that the accused can be given the harshest punishment.
Difference between faith and superstition: Why do victims get trapped easily?
Sociologists and psychologists emphasize that when a person or his family is struggling with some incurable disease, depression, financial crisis or marital discord for a long time, his logical and scientific approach starts weakening. In such moments of helplessness, people easily fall into the trap of such swindlers, Tantriks and quacks in the hope of a ‘miracle’.
Fake Tantriks often try to isolate the victim from their family and call them alone in the name of ‘secret rituals’. They create a complex of fear, guilt and fear of social stigma, due to which most of the victims remain silent despite enduring the exploitation for a long time. This case is a living example of the fact that when a victim breaks his silence and takes recourse to the law, the entire empire of such criminals collapses.
Important advisory from police for citizens and women
After this incident came to light, the police administration has appealed to the general public to completely stay away from any kind of superstition, tantra-mantra and miraculous claims and strictly follow the following precautions:
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Get the disease treated only by certified doctors: Consult only registered medical practitioners, specialist doctors and hospitals for treatment of any physical or mental illness; No disease can be cured by exorcism and tantra mantra.
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Avoid going alone or at unusual times: Never go to any religious place, shrine, dargah or ashram if invited by any person in the silence of the night or when you are alone.
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Report immediately instead of being afraid of threats or blackmail: If someone asks for money or blackmails you by citing tantra-mantra or any secret, then instead of panicking, immediately inform your family and the police.
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Use the Women’s Helpline: National emergency number for any emergency or molestation complaint 112Women Helpline 1090 (Women Power Line) Or 181 Call immediately. Your identity is kept completely confidential.
Faith can be a matter of personal belief, but when under the guise of faith, violations of law, harassment of women and financial fraud are committed, then it becomes the responsibility of both society and law to ensure the strictest action possible against such hypocrites. This prompt action of the police gives a strong message to the society that crimes committed under the guise of religion or clothing will not be spared under any circumstances.