A shocking incident of sexual abuse has come to light in the Latur district of Maharashtra, where a 17-year-old minor girl was allegedly raped by a self-styled godman. The abuse, which took place under the guise of performing religious rituals to remove astrological defects from the girl's horoscope, resulted in her pregnancy. The matter was uncovered after the victim complained of severe physical discomfort and was taken to a medical facility. Local law enforcement has moved quickly to arrest the suspect and initiate a comprehensive investigation into the exploitation of faith.
Rituals Initiated on the Pretext of Horoscope Defects
The accused has been identified as Rameshwar Hanmantrao Ramdasi, who is also known locally as Rameshwar Maharaj. He had been conducting religious ceremonies and serving as a priest at a well-known local temple in Latur city for the past 30 years. Through his long-standing presence at the temple, the priest developed an acquaintance with the victim’s father, who visited the temple regularly. Over time, this acquaintance grew closer, and the priest began visiting the family's residence. During one of these visits, Rameshwar Maharaj claimed that the minor girl’s horoscope contained a severe defect. He convinced the family that the only way to ward off the negative cosmic influences was to perform special rituals. Relying on his religious authority, the family permitted him to conduct these sessions at their home. These rituals began in June, during which the accused repeatedly assaulted the minor girl in absolute secrecy, leaving the family entirely unaware of the ongoing abuse.
Medical Discovery Leads to Police Arrest
The systematic exploitation continued until the teenage girl began suffering from intense stomach pain. Concerned for her health, the family took her to a government hospital for treatment. It was during the subsequent medical examination that medical professionals discovered the minor girl was pregnant. The hospital administration immediately compiled the necessary medico-legal records and notified the authorities. Based on this information, the Vivekananda Police Station registered a formal case under the POCSO Act. Armed with the medical evidence and the victim's statement, the police arrested Rameshwar Maharaj. He was subsequently produced before a local court, which remanded him to police custody for four days to allow investigators to interrogate him further.
Broadening the Scope of the Police Probe
As the investigation progresses, the local police are examining whether the accused has targeted other unsuspecting victims over his long career as a priest. Given his three decades of religious practice in Latur, investigators are concerned that other families might have fallen victim to similar manipulation. Sameer Singh Salve, the Deputy Superintendent of Police for Latur City, stated that the law enforcement agency is looking at the entire case from all possible angles. The police intend to thoroughly probe the priest's past activities to determine if this was an isolated incident or part of a larger pattern of exploitation under the guise of religious rituals.
