A self-styled ‘tantrik’ was arrested for allegedly raping a Class X student on the pretext of performing ‘jhadh-phoonk’ at her house in Sirsa district, the police said on Thursday. The accused, identified as Lal Mohammad, a resident of Rajasthan, was produced before a local court after his arrest, the police said.
According to the police, the incident took place in a village under Nathusari Chopta police station limits. The girl’s family had reportedly called the accused to their house after learning about her friendship with a boy and wanted Mohammad to perform rituals to “resolve” the matter.
The police said the accused allegedly took family members one by one into a closed room to listen to their problems and suggest remedies.
When the minor girl entered the room, the accused allegedly started speaking to her about her personal issues and later sexually assaulted her, the police said. He also allegedly threatened to kill the girl and her family members if she disclosed the incident to anyone. After the accused left the house, the girl informed her family members about the incident.
The girl’s family approached the police, following which the matter was referred to the women police station. The police got the minor medically examined and also provided counselling to her. Then, the police arrested the accused and produced him before a court on Thursday.
According to PSI Komal Singh of the women police station, the victim recorded her statement in the presence of a woman advocate and women police personnel. The victim told the police that on May 23, Mohammad came to their house and sat in a room, where he started listening to people’s problems and offering remedies. Other family members also entered the room one by one to discuss their problems. The victim alleged that when her turn came, the accused raped her and threatened to kill her and her family if she disclosed the incident to anyone.
