Thane Crime Branch Nabs 'Dikshit Baba' in High-Value Black Magic Extortion Case
The Thane Crime Branch (Unit-1) has made a significant arrest in a shocking case of fraud and exploitation, apprehending a 37-year-old man from Goa on April 10. The accused, identified as Manjunath Sunder Shetty, also known as Dikshit Baba, is alleged to have duped a woman of a staggering Rs 2.5 crore in cash and gold ornaments by preying on her fears of black magic and fatal accidents.
Modus Operandi: Building Trust and Instilling Fear
Shetty, a resident of Udupi, Karnataka, meticulously targeted the complainant over an extended period, first establishing a rapport to gain her confidence. Once trust was secured, he allegedly spun a terrifying tale, convincing her that a female colleague of her husband and father had cast a deadly black magic spell on her household. This curse, he claimed, put all family members at grave risk of serious harm or fatal accidents.
To "neutralise the curse" and supposedly ensure financial prosperity for the family, Shetty purportedly coerced the victim into performing a series of expensive aghori rituals. Under this guise, he systematically extracted large sums of money and valuable gold ornaments, amassing the Rs 2.5 crore loot.
Investigation and Arrest: A Technologically-Aided Manhunt
The case came to light following a formal complaint registered at the Kasarvadavali police station in Thane. Due to its complexity and high value, the investigation was swiftly transferred to the specialised Thane Crime Branch. A dedicated team employed advanced investigative techniques, including mobile signal analysis, to track Shetty's movements.
This technological pursuit led them to Goa, where the accused was located and apprehended. After his arrest, Shetty was produced before a local court, which remanded him to police custody until April 15 for further interrogation and evidence collection.
A Habitual Offender with a Trail of Crimes
Preliminary investigations have revealed that Manjunath Shetty is not a first-time offender. He is a habitual criminal with multiple cases pending across various jurisdictions. His alleged crimes include charges of rape and financial embezzlement in Manickpur, Vasai, as well as accusations of outraging the modesty of a woman and committing fraud in Vartak Nagar, Thane.
A senior crime branch official provided insight into his predatory pattern: "The accused specifically targets women, builds a rapport to win their confidence, and then uses fear psychosis regarding their family's safety to extort money." This method highlights a calculated strategy of psychological manipulation for financial gain.
Legal Charges: Invoking Anti-Black Magic Laws
In response to these grave allegations, Shetty has been formally booked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Additionally, relevant sections of the stringent Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013 have been invoked. This underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating crimes involving superstitious exploitation and fraud.
The arrest marks a crucial step in combating such predatory schemes that exploit vulnerable individuals through fear and superstition, serving as a warning to others who might engage in similar fraudulent activities.
