A 35-year-old woman in the Naujheel area of Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, was allegedly raped by a 45-year-old self-styled tantrik, Mushtaq Ali, after she approached him for help to conceive a child, police said on Sunday, August 24.
The woman, married for eight years without children, was promised fertility rituals but was sexually assaulted instead. The accused is absconding, with police actively searching for him while investigation and medical procedures are ongoing. This incident highlights the grim exploitation of vulnerable women under the pretext of spirituality and superstition.
The Crime and Investigation
On August 21, the woman, accompanied by her sister-in-law, visited Mushtaq Ali’s residence in Naujheel, Mathura, seeking assistance after years of childlessness. Ali had claimed that his rituals could help her conceive. However, instead of offering spiritual remedies, Ali allegedly raped her in a closed room after lighting incense and performing rituals. After the ordeal, the woman managed to return home and confided in her family, who immediately reported the assault to the local police.
Following the complaint, the police registered a rape case under Section 376 and Section 63 of the BNS (Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita) law. Superintendent of Police (Rural) Suresh Chandra Rawat confirmed the case has been filed and that medical examination for the victim has been carried out.
Police have formed three teams to track down the accused, conducting raids across Naujheel, Bajna, Mathura, and Aligarh. So far, Mushtaq Ali remains on the run, with his phone location last traced to his own house in Naujheel. The police continue to intensify their search efforts.
Community and Social Impact
The local community is in shock. Residents report that Ali was known for claiming expertise in occult and tantric practices, drawing people from distant areas with promises of healing and miracles. Many clients had paid voluntary fees or brought offerings like sweets and incense during their visits.
Neighbours indicate that Ali often lured people with assurances of resolving personal and health problems through spiritual means. This case has raised alarm in Mathura and surrounding areas, exposing how vulnerable individuals – particularly women desperate for children – become victims of predatory figures exploiting faith and superstition.
Neighbours remain largely silent or fearful of speaking out, reflecting the stigma and power such “tantriks” wield in these regions. The accused’s family is reported to be distraught, with the wife devastated over the allegations.
Broader Context of Exploitation
This disturbing case is part of a wider pattern where superstition and blind faith are manipulated to exploit the vulnerable, especially women. Experts and activists underline the need for society to confront these harmful beliefs and practices more decisively.
While many rely on traditional healers for guidance, unchecked spiritual claims often invite abuse under the guise of faith healing. The National Crime Records Bureau has shown an increase in cases of women being exploited in the name of rituals, underscoring the urgent need for awareness and legal safeguards.
Legal experts stress that enforcement agencies must strengthen actions against fraudulent healers involved in such crimes, and community education is vital to empower women to seek safe and scientific avenues for healthcare and support.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This heinous act exposes the dangers women face when desperation is met with exploitation steeped in superstition. Society must reject any practice that weaponises faith to harm the vulnerable. Justice is crucial but must be complemented by empathy, education, and empowerment to break the cycle of silence and fear.
The Logical Indian stands for a world where faith encourages strength and kindness rather than fear and abuse.
