In Maharashtra, fake healer forces couple to have sex in his presence

THANE: A self-proclaimed faith healer from the city who allegedly forced a married couple to have physical relations in front of him by falsely promising them help to bear a child was convicted and sentenced to 10 years' rigorous imprisonment.

Judge PP Jadhav convicted the accused, Yogesh Kupekar, under the IPC for sexual assault and molestation and also under the Maharashtra Prevention of and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013. A fine of Rs30,000 was also imposed.

The judge observed prosecutor, Rekha Hiwrale, had proved all charges beyond reasonable doubt. Desperate to have a baby, the couple approached Kupekar in 2014. Cashing in on their superstitions, Hiwrale said, in 2016, he forced the couple to have intercourse in his presence under the pretext of "treating defects in the woman's body" in order to help her conceive.

The accused also reportedly extorted Rs 10,000 from them. The couple later filed a case with Vartak Nagar police accusing Kupekar of rape and molestation.

The victim underwent a lot of mental trauma and became suicidal. She had to undergo treatment at a Thane hospital, she told the police. Kupekar was subsequently arrested.

After hearing both sides, the judge noted, "After gaining (the couple's) faith, he indulged in serious and heinous acts. Certainly, this is a special and unique case."

"Despite being a married man with a daughter and a wife who is a school teacher, the accused engaged in such heinous activities. Therefore, he needs to be punished with proper sentence," the judge noted.