Man Posing as ‘Godman’ Accused of Rape and Blackmail in Maharashtra’s Palghar

A shocking case has emerged from Palghar district in Maharashtra, where a man allegedly posing as an incarnation of Lord Shiva has been accused of raping a 35-year-old woman and subjecting her to prolonged blackmail.

According to police, the 40-year-old accused gained the trust of followers by falsely presenting himself as a spiritual figure. The survivor, a resident of Pune, came into contact with him in 2023. Initially, he portrayed himself as a religious and spiritual guide, gradually winning her confidence.

Investigators said the two first connected through Facebook, where the accused developed close contact with the woman. In December 2023, he travelled to Pune and met her in person. During this meeting, he allegedly convinced her that he was an incarnation of Lord Shiva and that she was his “Parvati,” manipulating her religious beliefs to exert psychological control.

As per the FIR, the accused later took the woman to a lodge in Pune’s Manjari area, where he allegedly administered a sedative, rendering her unable to resist. He then raped her and secretly captured objectionable photographs without her consent.

Police said the accused subsequently used these images to blackmail the woman, threatening to make them public if she disclosed the assault. Out of fear, the survivor remained silent for a prolonged period while allegedly being subjected to repeated coercion and intimidation.

The woman further alleged that in May 2024, the accused called her to a hotel in Vasai and attempted to sexually exploit her again. On that occasion, she managed to escape, but the threats reportedly continued, deepening her psychological distress.

She eventually came forward after being influenced by reports of another self-styled godman’s arrest in Nashik. Encouraged by that development, she decided to approach the police and recount her ordeal.

Senior Inspector Hiralal Jadhav of Manikpur Police Station confirmed that a complaint had been registered. Police initially filed a ‘Zero FIR’—a provision that allows a case to be registered at any police station regardless of jurisdiction—and later transferred the case to Hadapsar Police Station in Pune, where the primary incident occurred.

The survivor has also alleged that the accused may have similarly targeted other women. Police have launched a search operation to locate the suspect and are investigating the extent of his network.

The case has once again highlighted the dangers posed by self-styled godmen exploiting faith for criminal purposes. Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious individuals or activities to the police promptly.