Telangana Man Among Two More Arrested in Latur 'Money Rain' Ritual Case

Police in Maharashtra's Latur district have arrested two more individuals, including a man from Telangana, in connection with an alleged occult "money rain" ritual, officials said. With these latest arrests, the total number of persons taken into custody in the case has risen to 15.

The two newly arrested individuals have been identified as 38-year-old Balaraj, alias Balaji Eastya Mangali, a resident of Telangana, and 40-year-old Mallesh Timmanna Wadger from Karnataka. Both were taken into police custody on August 19.

According to police officials, the accused allegedly conspired to perform a Lakshmi puja as part of a superstitious ritual aimed at creating "money rain" through occult practices. Investigators stated that an attempt had been made to involve a 15-year-old girl in the ritual.

The incident took place near Karadkhel Pati along the Latur-Udgir road, situated approximately 20 kilometres from Udgir, during the early hours of August 16. After receiving specific information regarding the suspicious activities, personnel from the Udgir Rural Police intervened at the spot and initially arrested 13 persons hailing from multiple states.

A case has been registered at the Udgir Rural police station under relevant provisions of the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, alongside the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

A local court has remanded the accused individuals to police custody until August 21. Police officials stated that a detailed investigation is actively underway to determine the specific circumstances under which the minor girl was brought to the site or sought to be engaged in the ritual, as well as to establish the individual roles played by each accused person in the conspiracy.