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Nagpur: A superstitious woman was robbed to the tune of Rs 15.47 lakh by a self-styled astrologer who “promised” to cure her ailment. The con astrologer, who reportedly went absconding after cheating the woman, was arrested by Sitabuldi police.
The accused has been identified as Pandit Ishwar Sharma (32), resident of Plot 11, Omkar Nagar, Manewada Road. Pandit Ishwar Sharma had set up his “office” at NIT Complex, B 36, Ground Floor, near Mor Bhavan Bus Stop, Sitabuldi and had put an advertisement as “Jaishree Jyotish Karyalaya” claiming remedy for those possessed by evil spirits. When the victim woman approached the accused for cure of her ailment, he had prevented the woman from undergoing medical treatment by scaring her and her family with death. After winning the woman’s confidence the accused Pandit Ishwar Sharma extorted money to the tune of Rs 15.47 lakh on the pretext of performing rituals to cure her from time to time from 27-2-16 to 1-6-2016. After taking the money, the accused reportedly went absconding. The husband of the woman, after realizing that they were taken for a ride by the con astrologer, lodged a complaint with Sitabuldi police in this regard.
API B G Chopde had registered an offence (Crime No. 445/14) against the accused Pandit Ishwar Sharma under Sections 420, 506 of the IPC read with Section 3 of Black Magic Act and Section 7 of Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act and succeeded in arresting him. The arrest was made by Senior PI Bandiwar, API Chopde, constables Avinash, Bhushan, and Nitin.
