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Pune: A self-styled godman and seven of his associates, including six women, were arrested by the Pune City Crime Branch after a woman accused him of sexually exploiting and cheating her for nearly 15 years under the pretext of resolving her health and family-related issues.
The accused has been identified as 59-year-old Radhamohan Mishra, who allegedly operated an ashram from a bungalow in Ubalenagar, Wagholi. His male aide, Kanwal Nayan (58), and six women associates were also arrested during a late-night raid conducted around 2 AM on Wednesday.
The action was taken after a 41-year-old woman from Pune's Sinhagad Road area lodged a complaint with the police on Tuesday night. According to officials, the complainant works for a reputed company in the city.
Pune Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar said Crime Branch officials raided the bungalow and detained all eight accused. They have since been remanded to police custody until June 20.
According to the police, Mishra allegedly claimed to be a divine incarnation and used that influence to manipulate and exploit the woman for years.
Investigators said the accused allegedly subjected the victim to repeated sexual abuse, physical torture and psychological manipulation. The woman also alleged that she was forced to consume his urine and was given electric shocks as part of so-called spiritual practices.
Police said the accused allegedly pressured the woman to divorce her husband and later transferred her property into his own name.
Officials are now examining financial transactions and property records to determine the extent of the alleged fraud and whether other victims may have been similarly targeted.
Police said both the accused and the victim originally belong to Haryana. Mishra had reportedly been living in Pune for the past eight years and was running the ashram from the Wagholi bungalow.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are questioning the arrested associates to determine their role in the alleged offences.
