Occult Gang Promising 'Dhan Varsha' Busted By Police In UP's Sambhal For Fraud, Sexual Exploitation

A gang of occultists was arrested by police in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal for fraud and sexually exploiting the victims.

The police in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal district have claimed to bust a gang of occultists who duped people with promises of 'Dhan Varsha' through occult rituals and sexually exploited women and girls under the guise of performing rites. 

The gang, with fourteen members, which was active for the past 7 to 8 years across Etah, Agra, and Firozabad was apprehended and sent to jail, said Sambhal Superintendent of Police (SP) Krishna Kumar Bishnoi. 

The case came to light on March 21 when one Rajpal approached the Dhanari police station and alleged he was taken to an undisclosed location under the pretence of an occult ritual and barely escaped with his life, Bishnoi said, reported PTI. 

A case of kidnapping and attempted murder was registered by the police based on Rajpal's complaint. 

According to the investigation, the gang lured victims by showing fake videos of rooms filled with cash and promised returns ranging from Rs 5 crore to Rs 35 crore through supposed "supernatural" means, Bishnoi said. 

Exploitation By Gang Members 

Under the pretext of performing rituals the gang also sexually exploited women and young girls, said the police. 

Rinku, Ajab Singh, Durjan, Santosh, Raghuveer, Akash, Captain Singh, Sanjay Chauhan, DN Tripathi, Jai Prakash, Sonu, and Lal Singh were among those who were arrested by the police and are key occult practitioners and gang members, they added. 

The SP said that all the 14 accused have been sent to jail and further investigations are underway. 

Additional Superintendent of Police, Anukriti Sharma said the mobile phones of the accused contained hundreds of videos and images, "a grotesque catalogue of victims," reported The Times of India.

Young men and women between the ages of 18 and 22 were videographed holding placards displaying their name, age height, weight, body measurement, and even last menstrual cycle in case of women. 

Alongside them would be images of owls, turtles, and other trafficked wildlife, indicating sacrifices that were made for the animals. 

As per the investigation, the gang preyed on the poorest of the poor and referred to girls as "article" "saaman" (object) or "tomato". The women hailed from different districts of the state including Varanasi, Etah, Mathura, and Firozabad among others.