Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former Member of Parliament (MP) Vinayak Raut, his son Gitesh Raut, and other members of the family have been booked after his daughter-in-law alleged that they subjected her to physical, mental, and emotional harassment over the past eight years.
In her complaint, Girija Raut also accused them of forcing her to participate in occult rituals and making her drink cow urine. Based on her allegations, the police have registered an FIR under the Maharashtra Anti-Superstition Act and other relevant sections. Vinayak Raut has denied the allegations, calling the charges baseless.
The charges
The FIR was registered at Kapurbawdi police station in Thane, based on a complaint filed by Girija Raut. She alleged that after marrying Gitesh Raut in December 2017, she was repeatedly assaulted, humiliated and subjected to physical, mental, and emotional harassment.
Vinayak Raut. FILE PIC
According to the FIR, between 2018 and 2022, her husband and in-laws allegedly took her to self-styled godmen in coastal Konkan region, where she was forced to participate in occult rituals, including drinking cow urine.
Raut denies charges
Responding to the allegations, Vinayak Raut questioned the timing of the complaint, saying that if his daughter-in-law had been subjected to harassment between 2018 and 2022, she should explain why she waited until 2026 to approach the police. Addressing the media, he said that a divorce case between his son Gitesh and Girija is pending before a court. Raut further alleged that Girija had demanded a flat, a monthly allowance, a car, and other benefits from the family.
False claims
Responding to the allegations made by her in-laws, Girija told reporters that their claims that she had demanded money, a flat, and other benefits were false.
Playing it safe
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray and party MP Sanjay Raut described the case as a personal and family matter, saying it would not be appropriate to comment on the allegations. However, when asked about the FIR being registered in Thane, Sanjay Raut stated that it appeared “suspicious”. It may be recalled that Thane is the political stronghold of DCM Eknath Shinde, who split the undivided Shiv Sena in 2022 after rebelling against Uddhav Thackeray.
ANIS wants action
The Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (ANIS) has demanded strict action against those named in the case. ANIS members said the allegations are similar to the Nashik godman Kharat case, in which women were allegedly subjected to black magic and other superstitious practices. They urged the police to conduct a thorough investigation not only into the present case, but also into the activities of the self-styled godmen named in the FIR.
[popcorn number="2017" desc="Year Girija married Gitesh Raut" class="Default"]
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