Chicken, liquor, cigarettes: 60 women complain against gym trainer-turned godman
Mumbai Police arrested a self-styled godman 'Bhondu Baba', a former gym trainer, for allegedly luring and sexually exploiting over 60 women under the guise of spiritual healing.
A 37-year-old man, formerly a gym trainer who later reinvented himself as a 'spiritual healer', has been arrested by Mumbai Police for allegedly luring women to his home and sexually exploiting them under the guise of rituals.
The accused, Rhythm Panchal, popularly known as 'Bhondu Baba' in Malad, would call women to his residence at odd hours, including midnight, where he exploited them and robbed devotees in the name of healing, often invoking non-conventional Aghori rituals and superstition.
So far, more than 60 victims have filed complaints against him.
Until about four years ago, Panchal led a routine life as a gym trainer. However, in a bid to make quick money, he assumed the role of a self-styled godman. Exploiting people’s faith and ignorance, he began holding sessions every Thursday and Saturday from 8 pm to 7 am.
He allegedly claimed to be an incarnation of a goddess capable of curing any ailment, specifically targeting vulnerable women, including those struggling with infertility. Police said he would summon women and girls at midnight and subject them to obscene acts under the pretext of performing puja.
In return for his so-called treatments, Panchal demanded large sums of money, expensive liquor, cigarettes, live chickens, and goat livers. He is also accused of pretending to be possessed and burning cigarettes in victims’ mouths as part of “exorcism” rituals.
The fraud 'godman' was exposed when he started threatening the complainants by sending goons to their homes.
One of the victims approached advocate Siddharth Sharma, a former BJP corporator, who helped bring the matter to the police and expose the accused’s activities. There are also claims that Panchal had political connections.
Dindoshi Police have registered a case against the accused under several serious charges. With over 60 complainants already coming forward, officials said the scope of the investigation is likely to widen, and more cases may be registered in the coming days.
A 37-year-old man, formerly a gym trainer who later reinvented himself as a 'spiritual healer', has been arrested by Mumbai Police for allegedly luring women to his home and sexually exploiting them under the guise of rituals.
The accused, Rhythm Panchal, popularly known as 'Bhondu Baba' in Malad, would call women to his residence at odd hours, including midnight, where he exploited them and robbed devotees in the name of healing, often invoking non-conventional Aghori rituals and superstition.
So far, more than 60 victims have filed complaints against him.
Until about four years ago, Panchal led a routine life as a gym trainer. However, in a bid to make quick money, he assumed the role of a self-styled godman. Exploiting people’s faith and ignorance, he began holding sessions every Thursday and Saturday from 8 pm to 7 am.
He allegedly claimed to be an incarnation of a goddess capable of curing any ailment, specifically targeting vulnerable women, including those struggling with infertility. Police said he would summon women and girls at midnight and subject them to obscene acts under the pretext of performing puja.
In return for his so-called treatments, Panchal demanded large sums of money, expensive liquor, cigarettes, live chickens, and goat livers. He is also accused of pretending to be possessed and burning cigarettes in victims’ mouths as part of “exorcism” rituals.
The fraud 'godman' was exposed when he started threatening the complainants by sending goons to their homes.
One of the victims approached advocate Siddharth Sharma, a former BJP corporator, who helped bring the matter to the police and expose the accused’s activities. There are also claims that Panchal had political connections.
Dindoshi Police have registered a case against the accused under several serious charges. With over 60 complainants already coming forward, officials said the scope of the investigation is likely to widen, and more cases may be registered in the coming days.
