Occult Practices, Physical Abuse & Rs 12.5 Crore: Another Uddhav Sena Leader In Trouble, But Of A Different Kind

Last Updated:July 13, 2026, 18:22 IST

Vinayak Raut said his daughter-in-law's FIR is a conspiracy stemming from failed matrimonial negotiations where she demanded ₹12.5 crore alimony, 3-BHK luxury flat and a car

Former Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Vinayak Raut and his family are currently embroiled in a major controversy after his daughter-in-law, Girija Raut, filed an FIR alleging severe domestic harassment and forced occult practices.

Rebuffing the claims, Vinayak Raut issued a public challenge and stated that the allegations are completely false.

Following the complaint, the Maharashtra police withdrawn Vinayak Raut’s police security cover.

THE ALLEGATIONS

The case was registered at the Kapurbawdi Police Station in Thane under provisions covering domestic violence and the Maharashtra Anti-Superstition and Black Magic Act. Seven people have been booked, including Vinayak Raut, his wife Shamal, and his son Gitesh Raut (a former BMC corporator).

Girija Raut alleged that she was repeatedly forced by her in-laws to drink cow urine and undergo various “aghori" (occult) rituals under the guidance of self-styled godmen to help her conceive.

The complaint states she faced continuous physical, emotional, and financial exploitation since marrying Gitesh in December 2017. She claimed her salary and bank accounts were completely controlled by her husband.

THE ARREST

The Thane police arrested Firoz Shaikh, an alleged occultist from Sindhudurg named in the complaint. He has been remanded to police custody.

Vinayak Raut and his family have approached the Thane Sessions Court seeking anticipatory bail. The court is scheduled to hear their plea on July 23, 2026, and reports indicate police will not question them until the hearing.

WHAT VINAYAK RAUT, UBT SAID

Vinayak Raut argued that Girija has been living separately for the past three years. He alleged that this FIR is a conspiracy stemming from failed matrimonial negotiations where the complainant demanded a ₹12.5 crore alimony settlement, a 3-BHK luxury flat, and a car.

Vinayak Raut told ANI, “She is defaming us at someone else’s behest; why didn’t she complain earlier? On December 31, 2023, 10–13 bags containing her ‘Stree-dhan’ were taken to her maternal home. Each time, her demand would escalate—rising from Rs 2 crore to Rs 5 crore. Her total demands eventually reached Rs 12.5 crore. Why is she defaming us to get these demands met? I have full faith in the police and the judiciary… everything will become clear once the police investigate…"

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut downplayed the political angle, describing the situation as a “purely family and domestic issue". Meanwhile, state ministers have noted that the police will conduct a transparent investigation into the matter.

WHO IS VINAYAK RAUT?

Vinayak Raut is a prominent Indian politician and a senior leader of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) party. He is a close associate of party chief Uddhav Thackeray and previously served as the leader of the Shiv Sena parliamentary party in the Lok Sabha.

He represented the Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg constituency in Maharashtra as a Lok Sabha MP for two consecutive terms from 2014 to 2024. He lost the seat in the 2024 general elections to BJP leader Narayan Rane.

Before entering national politics, he served as a Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Mumbai’s Vile Parle constituency (1999–2004) and was later elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC) in 2012. He resigned from the MLC in 2014 to contest the general elections.

About the Author

Manjiri Joshi

At the news desk for 20 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing speci...Read More

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