Maharashtra horror: Teen raped in Nalasopara hotel; was told she is possessed and would die

NEW DELHI: In an disturbing event in Maharashtra’s Palghar district, a 17-year-old girl was allegedly raped after being tricked into believing she was possessed by ghosts, a police official said on Thursday.

The incident took place in Virar, and the accused, identified as Prem Patil and Karan Patil, were arrested on Tuesday, a Virar police station official confirmed.

According to the official, the victim was feeling unwell after visiting a temple in Virar and was told that she was possessed by ghosts.

"She was taken to a baba who claimed he would carry out some rituals to save her, failing which she will not have children and her future husband could die. The two accused took her to a hotel in Nalasopara and raped her."

The girl reported the incident to the police, following which a case was registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and the Maharashtra Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman and Inhumane Practices and Witchcraft (Prohibition and Eradication) Act.

"Within hours of the complaint, Prem Patil and Karan Patil were arrested. They were remanded in police custody by a court in Vasai," the official further told PTI.