Akola ‘godman’ gets bail after a day in custody

Murtizapur: A 24-year-old self-styled godman, Chetan Sunil Mule, from Nimbha village, was arrested from Amravati for allegedly subjecting minors to dangerous and inhuman acts in the name of healing and later released on bail after the completion of his police custody.In a viral social media video, he claimed to possess divine powers and is seen conducting a ‘darbar' where he is swinging newborns by holding their clothes with his teeth and spinning them around, raising serious concerns over child safety and abuse.Following a complaint lodged by Pranjali Manoj Jaiswal, a member of the Child Welfare Committee, Akola, a case was registered at Murtizapur rural police station under BNS, Juvenile Justice (care and protection of children) Act, 2015, and relevant provisions of Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013.After the case was registered, the accused had gone absconding. Acting on instructions from senior police officials, a special team was formed to trace him. Based on technical inputs and intelligence, police tracked him down in Amravati and arrested him after laying a trap.He was initially produced before the Murtizapur court, which remanded him in one-day police custody. After the custody period ended, he was produced again before the court on Saturday, where he was granted bail.Shridhar Gutte, station house officer of Murtizapur rural police station, told TOI that investigation is ongoing and further aspects of the case are being examined. The operation was carried out under the supervision of senior police officials and the local police team.