Nashik astrologer 'Captain' arrested for raping, blackmailing woman for 3 years; used fear, drugs to control her

Nashik: A 67-year-old astrologer was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly raping a 28-year-old woman between 2022 and 2025.

According to the Nashik city police, the accused, popularly known as ‘captain', was taken into custody from his residence early in the morning and later produced before a court, which remanded him to police custody till March 24.

Inspector Ashok Mudgal of crime branch unit 1, who is handling the investigation, said an FIR had been registered at the Sarkarwada police station based on the woman's complaint. The astrologer has been booked under sections 64 (punishment for rape) and 74 (assault or criminal force with intent to outrage a woman's modesty) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with relevant provisions of the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013.

The complainant stated that the astrologer sexually exploited her between 2022 and 2025. "The woman had first visited him in 2019 with a relative seeking guidance on finding a suitable marriage partner, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, she could not follow up for some time. In 2022, after she found a marriage prospect, she approached him again. The astrologer gave her a pendant and instructed her never to remove it. She, however, took it off while appearing for an exam, and within a week, her marriage proposal fell through. With her faith in the astrologer deepening, he convinced her that he had ‘divine powers' and forced her into performing rituals. He then allegedly raped her for the first time by giving her a concoction that caused numbness, later threatening that she would never get married if she resisted," the complaint stated.

Even after the woman eventually got married, the astrologer allegedly continued to manipulate her, threatening that her husband would die if she did not comply with his sexual demands. "This continued till Dec 2025," police said, citing the complaint.

In March this year, the relative who had originally introduced her to the astrologer learned about the alleged abuse and urged her to speak up. She filed a formal complaint on Tuesday night.

Minister of state for home Yogesh Kadam promised strict action and assured protection to women, who might have complaints against the astrologer. "I appeal to all women who may have complaints against the ‘astrologer' to come forward. We will provide them protection and ensure stringent action against the accused. The matter should not be politicised. All measures will be taken to ensure women's safety," he told reporters at the Vidhan Bhavan premises in Mumbai on Wednesday.

Kadam said authorities would ascertain whether the astrologer indulged in superstitious or illegal practices under the guise of astrology. "We need to ascertain whether he was offering astrological services or spreading superstition. If any wrongdoing is found, that will also be investigated," he added.

Opposition targets govt over links to politician

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare criticised state govt following the arrest of the astrologer, alleging that several individuals within govt had close ties with him. Her primary objection concerned the association of Maharashtra State Commission for Women Chairperson Rupali Chakankar with the astrologer. Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee chief Harshvardhan Sapkal said Chakankar should have "resigned".

Chakankar, however, maintained that she had no knowledge of the astrologer's personal life or the allegations against him. "Whatever allegations have been made will be investigated impartially by the police. I have full faith in the investigation," she wrote in a social media post.

Responding to reports about Chakankar's association with the ‘astrologer', Kadam said the matter would be examined independently if necessary. "These are two separate issues. The sexual exploitation case is being probed thoroughly," he said.