Rs 1 cr to ‘cure’ witchcraft spell: woman arrested

According to the police,Godse is an educated woman who resides with her husband and daughter at Ganesh Bag Society in Kothrud. Her husband is bank employee. She developed good relations with Sujata,who stays in a bungalow at Gananjay Society,close to Ganesh Bag.

“Sujata’s husband was ill for a long time. Some time in May last year,pretending to have knowledge of astrology,Godse told Sujata that her husband was ill because someone had played witchcraft on him. Godse said she could eliminate the impact of witchcraft by performing some rituals,” said assistant police inspector Ashok Walimbe,the investigation officer.

“Godse said she needed money to perform the rituals but she claimed she would return it once the rituals were over. Sujata agreed to give the money. In a span of three months,between May 13 and August 3,Godse took cash to the tune of Rs 1,03,91,500 from Sujata and performed some rituals,” Walimbe said.

“Godse paid back Rs 20 lakh by cheque. Later,she gave three more cheques for the remaining amount. But all the cheques bounced. Meanwhile,Devdhar’s husband also died of illness. She discussed the issue with her son who works in Dubai and had come home and then lodged a police complaint against Godse,” he said.

Police produced Godse before the court on Wednesday. Judicial Magistrate (first class) G G Itkalkar remanded her to police custody till January 9. Police said custodial interrogation was required for recovering the money. Investigation is also being conducted to find out whether she has cheated more people.