In a deeply distressing incident in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, a 35-year-old woman seeking help to conceive was sexually assaulted by a man pretending to be a tantric healer. The assault took place under the guise of performing fertility rituals, shattering trust and exposing the dangers of superstition.
A Desperate Visit Turns Into Tragedy
On August 21, a woman married for eight years without children visited a self-styled tantric, Mushtaq Ali, in the village near Naujheel, Mathura. He promised that his ritual could help her conceive. The room was filled with incense smoke, and as she became unconscious, Ali allegedly assaulted her. She later returned home, told her family, and they immediately alerted the authorities.
Police Action and Arrest
Following the complaint, police filed an FIR under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including rape, criminal intimidation, and wrongful confinement. Initially, the police launched a manhunt, as Mushtaq Ali was absconding. However, he was arrested on Monday, August 25, and sent to jail.
Community Shock and Reflection
The incident has left the local community in shock. Many people turned to Ali, believing in his supposed powers for healing and childbearing. Now, the case highlights the tragic vulnerability of people driven by superstition and the exploitation of faith.
What Must Change
This case emphasizes the need for awareness and education. Communities must challenge harmful belief systems that exploit vulnerable individuals, especially women. Legal systems also need to act firmly against those masquerading as spiritual healers to harm others.