Ex-MP from UBT & kin among 7 booked for ‘cruelty, occult rituals’ on bahu

Thane: An FIR has been lodged against former two-time Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Vinayak Raut, his wife, his corporator-son and four others following a complaint by his daughter-in-law alleging years of physical and mental cruelty, forced occult rituals and financial exploitation.

One of the seven—an alleged occultist—was arrested on Sunday and sent to two days of police custody.Vinayak denied all charges and suggested that the daughter-in-law’s complaint stemmed from unmet demands of over Rs 12 crore during ongoing divorce proceedings. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut called the matter a “purely family issue”.According to the FIR lodged by Kapurbawdi police in Thane on July 10, the abuse began soon after Girija (38) married Gitesh Raut, a Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator from H-East ward, in Dec 2017 and she was allegedly subjected to occult treatment.Girija claimed she was taken to three occultists—Firoz Baba, Kazi Baba and Harishchandra Ghadi—who allegedly performed aghori rituals on her. She alleged that her mother-in-law, Shamal Vinayak Raut, and Gitesh coerced her into taking medication, severely damaging her health over the years.Girija told reporters on Sunday that she had suffered extensive financial exploitation throughout her marriage. She claimed she was forced to resign from her job at a reputable company and placed in her husband’s transport firm, where he exercised complete control over her bank accounts and earnings.

She alleged that Rs 17-18 lakh in cash was regularly brought home and counted by her, and that her bank account remained entirely under her husband’s control.

Her lawyer said the team plans to approach ED to probe possible money laundering.Girija also alleged that despite consulting many medical professionals and psychiatrists to address marital issues, her husband and her in-laws either blocked effective treatment or manipulated medical consultations against her will.

She alleged that Gitesh lived separately with another woman most of the time.She said during their travels to other countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Kenya and Thailand, she was constantly abused and beaten up when she questioned the lack of a physical relationship and was told that an “external obstacle” was blocking their path.Vinayak, who had served as Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg MP in 2014-19 and 2019-24, dismissed all occult-related charges as false.

He said Girija had demanded a 3BHK flat with a terrace, a car, Rs 2 lakh per month as maintenance pay, and Rs 5 crore as settlement, all of which were rejected. He said she subsequently raised fresh demands, including monthly maintenance of Rs 5 lakh, Rs 10 crore and an additional Rs 2 crore for emotional trauma.Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said the case should not be given a political colour, adding that Vinayak was capable of responding to the accusations himself.

He questioned why the FIR was filed in Thane when the family lives in Mumbai.BJP minister Girish Mahajan said he had no knowledge of the case but asserted that police would conduct a transparent investigation.Shiv Sena MLC Neelam Gorhe said the marital dispute had come up before police’s ‘bharosa cell’, a one-stop help centre for women, where reconciliation attempts failed.