Mumbai Horror: Bhandup Couple Arrested For Torturing Toddler In Black Magic Ritual To 'Cure Possession'

In a deeply disturbing case from Bhandup, a couple who tortured a 2.5-year-old boy under the pretext of treating him for 'spirit possession' were deeply involved in black magic and had arranged their home accordingly. The police have recovered seven books related to ghosts, spirits, and black magic from their home, along with coconuts, lemons and other ritualistic items typically used in such rituals.

The Bhandup Police cracked the case within just three hours and arrested the accused Vaibhav Kokare,35, and his wife Vaibhavi alias Harshada Gurav, 32. According to sources, even after being brought to the police station, the couple was seen chanting occult mantras, indicating their deep involvement in superstitious and occult beliefs. Authorities are investigating the origins of their practices and whether others were involved in the crime.

The accused Vaibhav and Harshada, residents of the Bhandup West, Tank Road area, had been in a relationship for 14 years and recently got married. Vaibhav runs a packaging drinking water business called Rainbow Enterprises, while Harshada previously worked as a clerk at the Thane Collector’s office, t he two had recently gotten married.

They had fallen under the influence of black magic and occult practices involving spirits and witchcraft. They had arranged their home with items related to these rituals, sources said.

According to police, the child’s 37-year-old mother became acquainted with Vaibhav Kokare while working at his packaged drinking water business as her husband is paralyzed. He also asked her to work at his home, and for the past 15 days, she had been taking her child along.

The couple observed the child crying frequently, Vaibhav and Harshada claimed he was possessed by spirits and needed treatment. On June 22, they called the mother and her child to their home for a so-called spiritual healing session. The couple brought materials allegedly required for the "exorcism". On Monday and Tuesday, they burned the child with matchsticks and beat him with sticks and brooms, even pulling hair from his head according to the police investigation.

After witnessing the child's injuries and distress, the mother fled their house on Wednesday afternoon and went straight to the police station with her family and the child. The horrifying abuse came to light after she filed a complaint.

Given the seriousness of the case, Bhandup Police immediately registered an FIR and launched a search for the couple. The police received information that the accused were in Ghansoli, Navi Mumbai. Assistant Police Inspector Avinash Nadveenkery used a clever tactic to apprehend both within three hours led by Police Inspector Mahesh Mahajan

Police continue to investigate the case to determine the full extent of the couple’s involvement in occult practices and identify any other individuals connected to this act of extreme cruelty.

The child is currently receiving medical treatment at Wadia Hospital and is reported to be in stable condition, an official said.

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