• Source:JND
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In yet another case of superstition, a self-proclaimed godman performed abusive rituals on his followers under the guise of evicting evil spirits in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. A man identified as Sanajay Pagare claimed that he possessed supernatural powers and subjected them to horrifying exercises of alleged spiritual healing, NDTV reported. 

The baba operated a temple in Shiur village, Vaijapur tehsil and ran horrifying rituals of deception, blind faith and cruelty for over two years. 

The baba convinced the villagers that he could exorcise evil spirits, arrange marriages for the unmarried and help childless couple conceives through his ‘aghori’ rituals, as he claimed to possess special powers. 

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Victims, who followed Baba, men and women both, were made to shove their own shoe into their mouth, forced to run around the temple and were beaten by the so-called Baba. They were also fed tree leaves as part cure.  

In multiple cases, Baba would also force his followers to drink his urine, claiming it was part of the treatment. 

The superstition racket came to light after activists from an anti-superstition organisation carried out a sting operation using hidden cameras. The footage, now in possession of authorities, uncovers disturbing incidents, NDTV added. 

In a video, it could be seen that men and women both were hit by Baba with a stick as part of what he called spiritual treatment, NDTV added, claiming to have obtained visuals. 

In another video, Pagare was seen stepping on a man’s face as he lay flat on the ground. The same man, seemingly semi-conscious, was later made to sit before the baba, who then threw yellow powder at him, forced him to smell a shoe, and beat a drum. The man even struggled to stand and had to be helped to his feet by others.

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Following the activists' complaint, a case was registered against him under the Indian Penal Code. Authorities have filed an FIR against Sanjay Pagare under multiple legal sections for fraud, assault, and promoting superstition.