Sorcerer arrested for assaulting minor under guise of exorcism in Kerala's Kollam

KOLLAM: A man was arrested for allegedly raping a minor girl in the name of exorcism in Kerala's Kollam district on Monday, police said.The accused, Rajan Babu alias Murari, a local sorcerer, had been absconding after the assault came to light on Sunday evening and a search was on to nab him, they said.The incident happened in Vendar under Puthur police station limit here.According to police, the victim and her mother had earlier visited Murari seeking some astrological advice.He somehow convinced them that all of their issues were caused by an evil spirit which possessed the girl's body.The sorcerer also assured them that he could help them get rid of it through exorcism.As directed by him, the girl and the mother again came to his house in Vendar on Sunday for the ritual procedure he prescribed.The accused asked the mother to wait outside the room and let the girl alone inside.After some time, the girl came out and revealed to her mother about the alleged assaults she had suffered inside.As informed by them, local people protested outside his house, but the accused managed to flee the scene amidst the melee, police added.Murari was booked under various sections of the BNS, including Section 64 (rape), 74 (assault or criminal force), 75 (1) and 76 (sexual harrassment) and POCSO Act, police added.Meanwhile, a police team arrested the accused from a lodge in Sasthamkotta on Monday and brought him to the police station. Besides being a sorcerer, Murari was also active on social media platforms, police added.