Mumbai: A shocking case of fraud has surfaced in Vikhroli’s Parksite area where a woman posing as a spiritual healer allegedly duped a family by exploiting their fear of black magic and spirits, and took away gold ornaments worth ₹2.95 lakh.

ParkSite Police have registered a case against a self-proclaimed spiritual healer residing in the Transit Camp slums of Parksite, Vikhroli, for allegedly exploiting a mentally ill woman and her family under the guise of exorcism and spiritual healing.

The accused has also been charged with violating the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act. The accused, identified as Mehjabeen Rais Khan alias Hazrat Mariyam (38), is currently absconding, police said.

According to officials, a 48-year-old man from Vikhroli (name changed to Vivek Salvi) filed a complaint against Mariyam, alleging that she took advantage of his sister-in-law’s mental illness to extract money and valuables from the family. The victim, Shilpa Salvi (name changed), and her husband Rajiv Salvi (name changed), had consulted Mariyam for spiritual treatment believing Shilpa was afflicted by black magic.

Mariyam allegedly told the couple that a woman had committed suicide in their neighborhood and that her unsettled spirit was haunting Shilpa due to unpaid dues. Using such stories to instill fear, Mariyam allegedly manipulated the couple’s daughter, Bindi Salvi, into stealing family jewelry worth ₹3 lakh from their home, claiming it was necessary to perform rituals to rid Shilpa of the evil spirit.

In total, Mariyam is accused of defrauding the family of nearly ₹5 lakh, including cash and gold. Based on the complaint, Parksite police have registered an FIR against her under sections of fraud and the Maharashtra Black Magic Act. A search is currently underway to locate and arrest the accused.

The complaint was filed by Salvi at the Parksite police station. According to his statement, Salvi resides with his family in Vedika Society, Sagar Nagar near Bandgar School and works in a private firm in Mulund’s Check Naka area. His younger brother's wife has been suffering from mental health issues for several years and is currently under treatment at Sion Hospital.

Recently, as Brother's Wife condition worsened, the family sought alternative help and was introduced to a woman named Hazrat Mariyam. Claiming to have spiritual powers, Mariyam promised to cure Brother's wife through rituals. Initially, the family paid her money for the rituals and also for a goat sacrifice.

However, the situation escalated when Mariyam allegedly threatened Victim's daughter, saying that her mother was possessed and would die unless the family handed over their gold jewelry. Fearing for her mother’s life, Daughter took out gold ornaments from their household locker and handed them over to Mariyam. Some of the jewelry was reportedly taken directly by Mariyam, while some was collected through her son, Rehan.

In total, gold jewelry worth ₹2.95 lakh, including chains, rings, earrings, and bracelets, was taken. Following the incident, Sunil Salvi filed a formal complaint against Mehjabeen Rais Khan, alias Hazrat Mariyam (38). Police have launched an investigation and have begun legal proceedings against the accused.