The Santacruz police have arrested a 36-year-old man from Kalamboli in Navi Mumbai for allegedly exploiting superstitious practices, performing black magic rituals, and sexually assaulting a woman on multiple occasions under the pretext of treatment.

The accused has been identified as Abdur Rashid Abdul Latif Shaikh, alias Babajan, 36, a resident of Summit Tower, Sector 10E, Kalamboli. Police said he claimed to be a black magic practitioner and deceived women by exploiting their personal problems.

According to the complaint filed by the victim with the Santacruz police, she was facing marital disputes when the accused approached her, claiming that she was under the influence of evil forces and convinced her that he could “cure” her through “special rituals”.

According to the victim, the accused called her to different places on different occasions. After the meeting, Babajan, as a process of allegedly healing the victim, made her unconscious by making her inhale incense and later sexually assaulted her multiple times, said police. He also inserted a hard object into her private parts during the assault, police said.

Following the victim’s complaint, the Santacruz police registered an FIR (Crime No. 871/2025) under sections 64, 74, 76, 115, 118(1), 123, and 351(2) of the Indian Penal Code, along with provisions of the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013.

A team led by Sub-Inspector Tushar Sawant traced the accused in Navi Mumbai using his mobile phone location. Police said that with assistance from the Kalamboli police, they traced Babajan to his residence and arrested him on Monday (August 18) evening. Following his arrest, Babajan was brought to Santacruz police station for questioning; further investigation is ongoing, said a police officer.

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