Pune: Godwoman Monali Vidhate Booked For Extortion

A 47-year-old man from Solapur district has filed a complaint against self-styled spiritual practitioner Monali Vidhate and four others for allegedly cheating him by promising to resolve his family problems and physical ailments.

The complainant came across Monali Vidhate's videos on Facebook, where she claimed that family problems and other difficulties could be resolved through rituals. He allegedly came into contact with Vidhate between December 2025 and September 1, 2026.

Vidhate sent him items including turmeric-kumkum, a thread and a doll, claiming that these would help address his physical ailments and family-related problems. The complainant was called to Vidhate's residence at Sukhsagarnagar on February 17, 2026, where the accused allegedly told him that his health and family problems could lead to his death.

They claimed that they could perform an “utara” ritual to remove the alleged negative effects. The complainant paid ₹3,100 and ₹300 for meetings with Vidhate and another accused, Ashok Bankar. He was subsequently made to pay ₹21,000 in cash and another ₹21,000 online for ritual material and for performing the alleged rituals twice.

The total amount paid by the complainant is ₹45,400. The complainant alleged that the accused abused him, threatened to kill him and continued to frighten him with the possibility of death before allegedly forcing him to pay the money.

After realising that he had allegedly been cheated, the complainant approached the Bibwewadi police and lodged a complaint. The case has been registered against Monali Vidhate, her husband Krishna Vidhate, her brother Mayur, Ashok Bankar and Manju Kaur under provisions of the Maharashtra Anti-Superstition and Black Magic Act.

The Maharashtra Anti-Superstition and Black Magic Act aims to prevent superstition and black magic in the state. The act prohibits practices that involve cheating or exploiting people by claiming to have supernatural powers.

The police are investigating the case and have booked the accused for cheating and extortion. The complainant's decision to approach the police is a significant step in preventing such practices and seeking justice.

The case highlights the need for awareness about such practices and the importance of seeking help from authorized authorities. It also emphasizes the need for strict action against those who exploit people by claiming to have supernatural powers.

The incident has raised concerns about the prevalence of such practices in the state and the need for stronger laws to prevent them. The police are working to prevent such incidents and to create awareness about the dangers of superstition and black magic.

In conclusion, the case against Monali Vidhate and four others is a significant step in preventing superstition and black magic in the state. It highlights the need for awareness and strict action against those who exploit people by claiming to have supernatural powers.