A fake tantrik (occult practitioner) has been arrested by the police in Ajmer for allegedly cheating a woman out of crores of rupees. The accused, Mashiyat Hussain, used threats of supernatural harm to extort approximately ₹2.5 crores from the victim. The police have recovered 160 grams of gold jewellery and coins from the accused.
Ajmer SP Devendra Kumar Bishnoi disclosed the details of the case, stating that 41-year-old Payal Gurnani, a resident of Nawab ka Beda, filed a complaint at the Clock Tower police station. According to the report, Mashiyat Hussain tricked the woman by claiming he could perform tantric rituals to ward off misfortune.
Police investigations revealed that Hussain, who had developed a habit of online gaming and betting, was heavily in debt. He took advantage of Payal Gurnani by threatening her with dire consequences using tantric rituals. Hussain convinced her that her family was under a supernatural threat, which he claimed he could neutralise through rituals that required significant financial expenses.
How she met Hussian
Gurnani talked to Hussain on a phone call through a college friend who introduced them during the second lockdown. Hussain convinced her of his powers over the phone, eventually leading to several monetary transactions. In November 2021, she first met her personally during a marriage of her friend’s brother. In March 2022, Hussain demanded money for rituals supposedly necessary for her marriage and to resolve her father’s property disputes. He escalated his demands by claiming that her aunt had performed black magic against her family, posing a threat to her father’s life. Over time, he extorted about ₹35 lakhs by exploiting her fears.
The police took action after Gurnani reported the continued extortion and threats. Upon his arrest, Mashiyat Hussain admitted to using the money for online gaming and betting, which led to further losses and increased debt. The police seized the jewellery and coins from him, and he was charged under relevant sections of fraud and extortion.
Hussian asked victim to convert to Islam and marry him
Accused Mashiyat Hussain, by showing the fear of tantra mantra to the victim, also mortgaged her jewellery in the bank and grabbed lakhs of rupees. After this, he pressured her to transfer her house in his name. Later, he also pressured her to convert to Islam and marry him.
SP Bishnoi revealed that Hussain, who comes from a family of retired government employees, had completed his M.Com and initially worked as a tour guide in Ajmer. His addiction to online gaming and betting led him to the path of deceit to manage his debts.
The police have presented Hussain in court and are currently holding him in remand for further investigation. The case highlights the need for awareness and caution against fraudulent practices disguised as spiritual or supernatural solutions.
Reported by - Rajkumar Verma, Ajmer
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