Daijiworld Media Network – Latur
Latur, Aug 21: Police in Maharashtra’s Latur district have arrested two more persons in connection with an alleged occult ritual based on the belief that money could be made to appear through supernatural practices, taking the total number of arrests in the case to 15.
The latest accused have been identified as Balaraj alias Balaji Eastya Mangali, 38, from Telangana, and Mallesh Timmanna Wadger, 40, from Karnataka. Police said both were arrested on August 19.
The arrests follow the detention of 13 persons from different states after Udgir Rural Police received information about suspicious activities linked to an alleged ritual near Karadkhel Pati on the Latur-Udgir road, around 20 km from Udgir, in the early hours of August 16.
According to police, the accused allegedly planned to conduct a Lakshmi puja as part of an occult practice based on the belief that money could be produced or made to appear through supernatural means. Police also said there was an attempt to involve a 15-year-old girl in the ritual.
The circumstances surrounding the minor's alleged involvement are being investigated.
Following the initial intervention, police detained 13 persons present at the spot and subsequently identified the two additional suspects. Investigators are now examining the individual roles of all those arrested and their alleged involvement in organising or participating in the ritual.
A case has been registered at Udgir Rural Police Station under the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act. Relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act have also been invoked in connection with the alleged involvement of the minor.
A court has remanded the accused to police custody until August 21. Police are investigating how the minor girl came to be involved and whether any offence was committed against her.
Authorities are also examining whether the accused had previously conducted similar rituals or attempted to deceive people by promising supernatural ways of generating money.