Murtizapur: Acting on a complaint backed by a viral social media reel, the Murtizapur rural police in Akola district registered an FIR against a self-styled godman from Nimbha village for allegedly subjecting minors to dangerous and inhuman acts in the name of healing.In her complaint, Pranjali Manoj Jaiswal (46), a member of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Akola, stated that she came across a reel in which a man claiming to possess divine powers is seen conducting a ‘darbar’ where he is swinging small children by holding their clothes with his teeth. She described the practice as extremely dangerous and inhuman, posing a serious threat to the children’s lives and physical safety.Upon verification, the incident was traced to Nimbha village. The self-styled godman was identified as Chetan Sunil Mule (24), a resident of Nimbha in Murtizapur taluka. A case was registered under Section 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Section 75 (cruelty to children) of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, and Section 3 of the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013.As per the police, the incident occurred before 7am on April 21, while the FIR was registered shortly after midnight on April 23. Police said the alleged acts not only endangered the lives of minors but also amounted to spreading superstition and misleading the public. PSI Wankhede of Murtizapur rural police station is carrying out the investigation. Officials stated that strict legal action will be taken against anyone found indulging in such practices, especially those that endanger children under the guise of religious or supernatural claims.The incident has sparked outrage against practices that promote blind faith, particularly in rural pockets.
