‘Astrologer’ couple dupes man, flees with jewellery worth Rs 6 Lakh

“The couple reportedly told the man that he is hard working but is not getting good money, which he admitted to. He also asked what he should do to make his situation better. This is when the couple suggested performing a ritual to ward off bad energy. The couple told the man that they would charge him Rs 1,500 for the ritual,” said a police officer.

The officer said the man then invited the couple to his house where they performed some ritual. “However, the astrologer couple advised the man and his wife that some more rituals need to be performed for them to reap benefits,” said the officer.

According to police, the astrologer couple reportedly visited the man’s home three more times to perform rituals.

On April 10, the accused went to the complainant’s house again. “This time, they asked the man to leave the home till they complete the ritual. Accordingly, the BMC employee waited in the ground floor of his residential apartment,” said the officer.

Police said the astrologers, under the pretext of performing a puja, asked the man’s wife to get all the jewellery that she had. They then wrapped the jewellery in a piece of cloth and tied a knot. The woman was also asked to open the knot only after nine days in order to invite prosperity. Subsequently, the astrologer couple left.

On returning, when the complainant inquired about the cloth, his wife told him about the ritual. “Sensing something amiss, he opened the knot and found no jewellery inside the piece of cloth. He then tried to reach out to the astrologer but his phone was switched off. The man then approached the police and filed a complaint,” said the police officer.