A disturbing case of alleged fraud orchestrated under the guise of superstition and occult practices has emerged from Ulhasnagar in Maharashtra's Thane district. A local woman has accused three self-styled practitioners of using fear tactics related to black magic and family misfortune to strip her of substantial cash and gold ornaments. Most extraordinarily, the complainant stated that the individuals dug up the floor inside her household shrine to bury mysterious items during a ritual, an episode she claims was captured by domestic security cameras.
Complaint Lodged at Hill Line Police Station
The controversy stems from Ulhasnagar Camp Number 5, where resident Rekha Sunil Bhoir formally approached the Hill Line police seeking criminal action. Her complaint names three individuals: Pammi Guru, Babbu Guru, and Ganesh Pawar alias Ganesh Guru. According to Bhoir, the accused approached her with assurances of warding off looming troubles through vashikaran, occult arts, and crisis mitigation techniques. By constantly projecting dire scenarios, the trio allegedly induced deep psychological dread in the woman, compelling her compliance.
Rs 4 Lakh Cash and Gold Handed Over Amid Severe Threats
Rekha Sunil Bhoir alleged that the accused capitalized on her fear of imminent family ruin to extract approximately Rs 4 lakh in cash alongside various gold jewellery items. The complaint further notes that when she hesitated or resisted handing over additional funds, the individuals issued overt threats warning that severe misfortune and harm would befall her and her family. Trapped by this escalating anxiety and manipulation, she continued complying with their financial demands until resolving to approach law enforcement authorities.
Shrine Excavation Recorded on CCTV Along with Financial Evidence
The most unusual facet of the incident occurred directly inside the complainant's home temple. Bhoir stated that the practitioners excavated a hole in the floor of her devghar (shrine area) and buried unidentified ritual objects beneath it. She maintains that this entire excavation and burial sequence was caught on her residence's internal CCTV surveillance system. Beyond the video footage, the complainant stated she possesses comprehensive evidence covering financial transactions, mobile audio recordings, and phone conversations documenting her communications with the accused.
Demand for Thorough Police Investigation and Recovery
In her submission to the Hill Line police, the victim demanded an immediate forensic and investigative examination of the security footage, mobile call records, and monetary transactions. She also requested targeted efforts to trace and recover the gold ornaments and cash surrendered under coercion. Observers and residents remain watchful over how the police proceed with formal charges. At present, the claims raised in the written complaint await independent verification as preliminary police inquiries unfold.
Previous Cases of Superstition-Driven Exploitation in the Region
Superstition-fueled scams remain a recurring challenge across parts of the state. Previously, authorities in Chandrapur district exposed an elaborate operation where victims were defrauded under the pretext of spiritual intervention. In that case, the primary woman accused had proclaimed herself possessed of divine powers, deceiving another woman out of Rs 25.90 lakh through the distribution of dhuni ash powder, blessed letters, and specialized ritual ceremonies before police intervened.
