Godman's police custody extended by two days

A week after self-proclaimed godman Atul Shitole was arrested for performing black magic and raping a 17-year-old, Special Judge S D Darne extended his police custody by another two days yesterday.

Satanic intentions: Atul Shitole aka Atul Maharaj. Pic/Mohan Patil

While seeking extension for his police custody, Public Prosecutor Pratap Jadhav told the court that Shitole was not cooperating with the investigating officials and failed to give satisfactory answers during interrogation. He said the police also want to investigate his motives behind making the victim drink ‘gold water' and performing black magic on her.

Deccan police station officials are now investing Shitole's motive behind making the victim drink ‘gold water' (water in which gold ornaments had been immersed for several hours).

He has been charged under sections 376 (2)(i) (rape on minor girl), 366A (procreation of minor girl), 506 (2) (criminal intimidation), 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code, and other relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013.

A resident of Akurdi, Shitole had allegedly taken Rs 5.3 lakh from the girl's mother for performing black magic on her. In her complaint, the victim sated that the ordeal continued from May 2013 to February 2014. During this time, Shitole falsely married her and established physical relations.

"He used to make me drink ‘gold water' and forced me to eat dhoop and coal," the victim stated in her complaint.