Mumbai, Aug 22 (Mumbai Mirror): Officials from the Vakola police station arrested a tantrik for allegedly duping a local builder on the pretext of curing his brother’s ailments, which he had been suffering from the last few years. Police officials said Ganeshkumar Dharmadev Takkan (46) duped the builder of R2.5 lakh in the last two years.

An official from Vakola police station said, "The builder was introduced to Takkan via one of his friends. During their meet, the tantrik assured the builder that he could rid his brother of the ailments. He told the builder that he would give his brother medicines that would cure his diseases within a month."

Modus operandi
As part of the curing ritual, the accused gave the builder a few taveez (amulets) and promised they would bring his brother the much-needed relief provided he wears them around his neck. When the amulets failed to work wonders, Takkan told the builder that he had special ayurvedic medicines that would do the trick.

However, the builder never got any of the promised medicines, which planted the seed of suspicion in his mind that the tantrik could be a conman. "The builder’s brother would often suffer from stomachache, headache and other problems, due to which he wasn’t able to do any other work. He would remain at home and take rest. The pain he suffered was unbearable. Despite consulting numerous doctors, none were able to find a cure for his suffering. It was here that they decided to seek a tantrik’s help," the official said.

Smelling a rat
In his complaint, the builder informed the police that despite following up with the tantrik about the promised medicines since the beginning of this year, he received none. And it was after Takkan started ignoring his calls the builder lodged a police complaint against the tantrik at the Vakola police station.

The police official said, "The accused was known to the family and they knew his residential address. After the complaint was lodged, a trap was laid and the accused was arrested from his Mumbra residence on Wednesday. We are now inquiring whether the accused has duped others as well."

Takkan was booked under Sections 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) of the Indian Penal Code along with Section 3 (2) of the Anti-Superstition and Black Magic Act. He was produced in the court on Wednesday and is currently in police custody.