A former Shiv Sena (UBT) MP's daughter-in-law has accused her husband and in-laws of subjecting her to physical and mental harassment, including allegedly forcing her to drink cow urine, taking her to self-styled godmen, and using strands of her hair in black magic rituals in Maharashtra's Thane district. Following her complaint, police have registered a case under the state's anti-superstition law and other criminal provisions.
The complainant, Girija Raut, has named her father-in-law, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Vinayak Raut, her husband Gitesh Raut, and two self-styled godmen, identified as Firoz Baba and Kazi Baba, in the FIR. Vinayak Raut has denied the allegations, claiming they are linked to an ongoing alimony dispute between his son and daughter-in-law.
According to the complaint, Girija alleged that she was subjected to years of physical and mental harassment after her marriage and was repeatedly taken to self-styled godmen for rituals. She claimed she was forced to drink cow urine and that strands of her hair were plucked and allegedly used in occult practices.
She further alleged that the two godmen performed the rituals. Police are investigating the allegations and examining the role of all those named in the FIR.
Girija claimed that her in-laws attributed personal and marital problems to supernatural causes. She also alleged that despite suffering from hyperthyroidism, she was made to undergo various rituals and was instructed to take antidepressant medication.
"My husband was not able to consummate the marriage and hence my in-laws asked me to visit the godmen in the Konkan region. It is not about money. It is about mental and physical torture. I tried my best to solve things," she said.
Based on her complaint, police registered a case under Sections 3(2) and 3(3) of the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman, Unwholesome and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013, along with relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Vinayak Raut denies allegations
Responding to the complaint, Vinayak Raut rejected the allegations and described them as retaliatory, linking them to the ongoing alimony dispute involving his son and daughter-in-law.
He claimed that the incidents referred to in the complaint allegedly took place between 2018 and 2022, but no police complaint was filed during that period. According to him, Girija approached the police only after alimony proceedings had begun.
The former Shiv Sena (UBT) MP also alleged that Girija had sought a 3BHK terrace flat valued at around Rs 5 crore along with monthly alimony of Rs 2 lakh, demands that his family refused.
He further questioned the allegations by claiming that Girija's parents had accompanied her during visits to the godmen mentioned in the complaint. "How are we responsible for those acts?" he said, adding that Girija has not been living with his son for the past three years.
Police said the investigation into the case is ongoing.
