Ahmedabad: Self-Proclaimed Faith Healer Held Under POCSO For Ritual Abuse Of Minor

The Sola High Court police in Ahmedabad have arrested a self-styled occult practitioner accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting a minor girl under the guise of performing religious rituals aimed at freeing her from alleged possession by evil spirits. The accused, identified as Chandrakant Panchal, is alleged to have systematically deceived the child’s family by presenting himself as a spiritual healer capable of resolving supernatural afflictions through elaborate ceremonies.

According to the police investigation, Panchal first gained the family’s trust by claiming that their young daughter was under the influence of malevolent spirits. He insisted that only complex and prolonged rituals could expel these forces and restore the child’s well-being. Under this pretence, he secured repeated access to the minor, using the so-called religious practices as a cover to commit sexual assaults. The family, operating under genuine belief in his claims and concerned for their daughter’s health, initially complied with his demands for privacy during the sessions.

Further details uncovered during the probe indicate that Panchal reinforced his hold over the family through a combination of inducements and intimidation. He allegedly promised them substantial financial gains, asserting that the successful completion of the rituals would unlock hidden wealth, including gold and long-term prosperity. At the same time, he threatened severe harm to the family if the victim ever revealed what had taken place, thereby creating a climate of fear that delayed disclosure of the abuse. These dual tactics of false hope and coercion allowed the alleged exploitation to continue for a period before authorities intervened.

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Following the complaint and subsequent inquiry, police registered a case against Panchal under multiple statutes. The charges include provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, which specifically addresses sexual crimes against minors; relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita governing sexual offences and related criminal conduct; and the Gujarat Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman, Evil, and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2024. The invocation of the state black magic law reflects the alleged misuse of occult practices to facilitate and conceal the primary offences against the child.

The case underscores the particular vulnerability of families who turn to traditional or spiritual remedies when facing unexplained difficulties with a child’s health or behaviour. Investigators have emphasised that such situations can be exploited by individuals posing as practitioners of the occult, who then weaponise superstition, fear, and economic aspiration. Police continue to collect evidence, record statements, and examine the full sequence of events to strengthen the prosecution. The accused remains in custody as the legal process advances, with authorities stressing that crimes involving the sexual exploitation of minors, especially those masked by religious or ritualistic pretences, will be pursued with the full weight of applicable law.

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