The Dindoshi Police have exposed a 37-year-old fake godman who allegedly cheated several people by claiming to possess divine powers and performing ‘aghori’ rituals in the name of superstition. The accused has been identified as Rhythm Ashok Panchal alias Monty. A case has been registered against him under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and other applicable laws. He has been remanded to police custody by a local court.
According to the police, the accused falsely claimed that he was possessed by divine powers and used this claim to lure people seeking solutions to personal and professional problems. Senior Police Inspector Mahendra Shinde stated that Panchal used to demand items such as alcohol, cigarettes, goat liver, lemons, and even ashes from cremation grounds for conducting so-called ‘aghori pujas’.
A complainant, Anosh, a businessman residing in Malad, approached the police after learning about Panchal’s activities. The accused allegedly claimed to have supernatural abilities to remove evil spirits, resolve career issues, and cure ‘pitra dosh’. For these rituals, he would ask devotees to bring various items including black cloth, black sesame seeds, lemons, dolls, liquor, cigarettes, lentils, kumkum, and other materials.
Police said Panchal would consume alcohol and cigarettes during these rituals and instruct devotees to wrap the remaining items in red and black cloth and discard them at a crossroads, promising that their problems would be resolved.
He also allegedly threatened devotees with dire consequences if they failed to follow his instructions or tried to oppose him, claiming that their lives could be in danger. He reportedly told people that he was possessed by ‘Bhairav Dev’ and performed fake exorcisms.
Over the past few months, the number of people approaching him had increased significantly. Following a complaint by Anosh about cheating under the guise of black magic and superstition, senior police officials ordered strict action.
Upon verification, the police found that Panchal was deceiving people by forcing them to procure various items and conducting fake rituals. During interrogation, it was revealed that he had no divine powers and was exploiting people’s ignorance by making false promises of solving their problems.
Based on the findings, police registered a case against him under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013. He was arrested on Wednesday.
Further investigation revealed that Panchal resides in a chawl near Manchubhai Road, close to a BMC garden in Malad. He previously worked as a gym trainer but had recently quit his job to engage in fraudulent ‘godman’ activities. He had also widely promoted himself in the area, attracting many unsuspecting victims.
Police confirmed that many people approached him believing in his so-called divine powers, but he failed to provide any real solutions and instead exploited their lack of awareness. Investigation in the case is ongoing.