{
  "id": 14013039,
  "title": "Two 'godmen' cheat woman of ₹69 lakh after promising to cure her sister of cancer",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/two-godmen-cheat-woman-of-69-lakh-after-promising-to-cure-her-sister",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-12T17:38:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hindustan Times",
    "slug": "hindustan-times",
    "url": "https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/two-godmen-cheat-woman-of-rs-69-lakh-after-promising-to-cure-her-sister-of-cancer-101791826139965.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Two self-proclaimed religious leaders have been arrested for allegedly defrauding a 60-year-old woman of ₹69.30 lakh by claiming they could cure her 51-year-old sister's cancer through religious ceremonies and special rituals, according to police sources on Monday. The Chembur police identified the suspects as Rajshekhar Shastri and Guruji Adityanath, also known as Babu Guruji. Between June 2025 and June 2026, the suspects collected ₹68 lakh in cash and a gold chain valued at ₹1.30 lakh from the victim. Despite their assurances, the sister's health continued to worsen. The woman met the pair after seeing an advertisement, the official explained. The accused told the victim that her sister's home was under the influence of black magic and gained her trust after performing a trick involving a lemon placed in a sealed steel container, as stated by the police. The duo then began requesting money for 48 mandal and planetary rituals, promising these would be conducted at the Kamakhya Temple in Assam and the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Uttar Pradesh. The woman paid the amount in installments. However, her sister's condition continued to deteriorate. Nevertheless, the suspects demanded additional funds for further rituals, after which she handed over the gold chain. The suspects also threatened her that the efficacy of the previous rituals would be compromised if she refused to make further payments. Eventually, the victim recognized she had been defrauded and reported the incident to the Tilak Nagar police station. Authorities are now working to apprehend the duo.",
  "summary": "The Chembur police identified the accused as Rajshekhar Shastri and Guruji Adityanath alias Babu Guruji.",
  "key_points": [
    "Rajshekhar Shastri and Guruji Adityanath arrested for fraud",
    "Deceived 60-year-old woman of ₹69.30 lakh for sister's cancer cure",
    "Sister's health worsened despite promised rituals"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}