Disabled man in Shahdol allegedly cheated of Rs 35,000 in name of faith-healing cure
A disabled man from Gohparu alleged that a trio posing as faith healers took Rs 35,000, a black goat and other items. Police registered a case only after he approached the SP, about two months later.
A fraud case that surprised the region came to light in Shahdol district. It was alleged that a disabled young man was cheated of not only thousands of rupees but also unusual items on the promise of faith-healing and a miraculous cure. A gang of one man and two women was alleged to have taken Rs 35,000 in cash, a black goat, 60 kg of gram, a blanket and a bottle of liquor from him. The matter stayed buried for a long time because of police inaction, but was finally registered after the victim’s persistence.
Mahendra Singh
The case was from Bareli village in the Gohparu police station area. Disabled Mahendra Singh had gone to Kushabhau Thakre District Hospital on the 27th of the previous month to get his father treated. There he met two women and a man. The accused, claiming to be miraculous faith healers, won his trust and convinced him that their special method would completely cure his disability. Mahendra, a simple village man, believed the claim. In hope of being freed from his disability, he allegedly gave them Rs 35,000 in cash, a black goat, 60 kg of gram, a blanket and a bottle of liquor. He believed he would be rid of a lifelong ailment. But after taking the money and items, the accused allegedly vanished. Mahendra waited for days and repeatedly tried the mobile numbers they had given, but got no response. Realising he had been cheated, he went to Gohparu police station and narrated his ordeal, but did not get justice there. Despite visiting the station for many days, police did not pay attention to his complaint. After repeated disappointment, Mahendra gathered courage and travelled about 40 km to the district headquarters to meet Superintendent of Police Ramji Srivastava. Seeing the seriousness of the matter, the SP immediately ordered an inquiry. After a delay of about two months, Gohparu police finally registered a case of fraud against the two women and the man. Police then began searching for the accused. The case also raised questions about the functioning of the local administration and police. Mahendra said that had he been heard at the start, the accused could have been traced in time. The case was also discussed across the district, with people asking how easily such frauds could be carried out by playing on people’s emotions in the name of miraculous cures and faith-healing.
