Self-proclaimed ‘godman’ held for blackmailing and raping woman on Mira Road

Mumbai: The Naya Nagar police on Mira Road have arrested a 55-year-old self-proclaimed godman on charges of raping a woman several times in the last three years on the pretext of freeing her from evil spirits and suffering through occult practices.

The action followed after the woman lodged a complaint against the accused, identified as Santosh Potdar alias Vinod Pandit (55), who worked as a palm reader at a shop in Shanti Nagar area of ​​Mira Road.

Pandit not only created a palmistry page on Facebook but also posted advertisements on social media platforms claiming that he could predict the future, reveal the past and also solve problems using rituals. The unemployed complainant, unable to find work, came across the advertisement and contacted the defendant in the hope that her problem would be resolved.

However, the defendant forced her to have physical relations with him. A year later the woman married. However, within a year, marital discord arose between the couple. In an unfortunate brush with fate, the woman came into contact with her tormentor again.

Under the pretext of solving her problem, the accused began to sexually exploit her through natural and unnatural acts several times in the last more than three years. He also clicked objectionable photos of the woman and started blackmailing her if she refused to give in to his sexual demands.

The woman grew tired of the ordeal and eventually contacted the Naya Naya police. Based on the complaint, police immediately arrested Pandit on Wednesday and booked him under relevant sections of the IPC, Information Technology Act and the stringent Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013.

The police did not pass judgment on the involvement of the accused in further cases of sexual exploitation and appealed to victims to fearlessly come forward and lodge their complaints. She assured that her identity would not be revealed. Meanwhile, the accused was remanded in custody after being produced before the Thane district court on Thursday.