'Godman' arrested for duping woman

The city police have arrested a so-called godman and another person on the charge of cheating a woman of Rs 15 lakh promising to solve her family's problems.

The woman, a city resident, had approached Ganesh Salunke, an acquaintance, for help, as her family had faced several troubles in the recent time, including her son meeting with an accident.

Salunke allegedly referred her to Rahul More, a police officer said Tuesday.

More, who claimed to be a godman with powers to ward off 'evil spirits' which were supposedly plaguing her family, took money from her several times between December 2017 to June 2019, she told police.

The woman, who ran a beauty parlor, raised the money by mortgaging her jewelery. More allegedly asked her to chant certain 'mantras' and wear 'blessed' strings.

When she did not get expected results, she lodged a complaint with Kalwa police station against More and Salunke.

Police registered a case under the black magic prevention act on July 7 and first arrested Salunke. His questioning led to arrest of More (26) from Jalgaon in north Maharashtra Monday, the official said.

Further probe is on.