Bhiwandi Cleric Arrested For Sexually Assaulting Woman

A 30-year-old woman from Nehru Nagar in Bhiwandi was allegedly sexually assaulted by a 50-year-old cleric, Maulana Ismail, during a faith healing ritual at a shrine in Bhiwandi. The woman had approached Ismail for treatment of her illness, and he had promised to cure her through rituals and spiritual treatment.

The alleged incidents took place between June 9, 2024, and August 10, 2026. During this period, Ismail called the woman several times to a shrine near Varala Devi Talao in Bhiwandi, where he performed rituals and eventually sexually assaulted her.

According to the police, Ismail had performed a ritual in which he opened the woman's tied hair, placed a lemon in her hand, recited prayers, and then cut and threw away the lemon. Around 15 days later, he called her to the shrine again on the pretext of performing another healing ritual, during which the alleged assault took place.

After the incident, Ismail allegedly contacted the woman over the phone and claimed that he had recorded the incident on his mobile phone. He threatened to circulate the video and told her that it was with a person named Irfan.

The woman subsequently approached Bhiwandi City police on the night of August 11 and lodged a complaint against the accused. Police have registered a case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013.

Ismail was arrested and produced before a court, which remanded him to police custody till August 18. Investigators are now probing the alleged role of an unidentified person and examining whether the cleric had targeted other women in a similar manner.

Police Inspector Vinod Patil confirmed that Ismail had been arrested and remanded to police custody till August 18. Police are questioning him and simultaneously trying to trace the unidentified person allegedly involved in the circulation or possession of the purported video.

The incident has raised concerns about the safety and security of women in the area, particularly those who seek treatment from faith healers and clerics. The police are urging women to be cautious and to report any suspicious activities to the authorities.

The case is being investigated by Police Inspector Dnyaneshwar Kadam and Police Inspector Vinod Patil. The police are working to ensure that justice is served and that the accused is held accountable for his actions.

The incident has also highlighted the need for awareness and education about the dangers of faith healing and the importance of seeking medical treatment from qualified professionals. The police and other authorities are working to raise awareness and to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.

In conclusion, the arrest of Maulana Ismail is a significant step towards ensuring justice for the victim and preventing similar incidents from occurring in the future. The police and other authorities must continue to work together to protect the rights and safety of women and to prevent such crimes from being committed.