Chikkamagaluru: A self-styled godman accused of raping a woman on the pretext of exorcism was arrested by Koppa police in JP Nagar, Bengaluru, after evading arrest for a month.Police identified the accused as Satish Patri. The woman from Hassan alleged that Patri took her near Durgaparameshwari temple at Mekanahadlu village in NR Pura taluk and sexually assaulted her under the guise of performing rituals.Based on complaints lodged at Koppa and NR Pura police stations, police registered a case under the anti-superstition (black magic) Act at NR Pura station and a rape case at Koppa station. Patri had been absconding since the FIR was filed and had taken shelter in a PG in Bengaluru, police said.The case had sparked outrage in coastal and Malnad regions after social media videos allegedly showed Patri forcing a minor girl to drink chicken blood in the name of exorcism.SP Jitender Kumar Dayama said police arrested Patri based on technical evidence. “As per the law, we will also book the people who gave him shelter,” he said.Dayama also suspended NR Pura police constable Kantesh for alleged dereliction of duty. The constable allegedly passed information about police movements to Patri, helping him change locations before raids.
