Self-styled godman held for voyeurism, practising black magic in Pimpri Chinchwad

Pune, Jun 28 (PTI) A 29-year-old self-styled godman has been arrested for allegedly indulging in voyeurism and practising black magic in Maharashtra's Pimpri Chinchwad, police said on Saturday.

The accused, Prasad Bhimrao Tamdar, ran an ashram in the Bavdhan area and claimed to offer astrological and spiritual solutions, an official said.

According to police, Tamdar allegedly asked people seeking his guidance to download a mobile phone application, which gave him access to them and asked them to engage in sexual acts with women, including sex workers, while secretly watching these acts on his mobile phone.

A senior police official said, "The accused allegedly contacted people and assured to solve their problems. Once he gained their trust, he asked them to download an app called 'Air Dried Kid' and secretly gained access to people who used it." Tamdar allegedly asked his followers to engage in sexual acts with women, including sex workers, and secretly watched these acts on his phone, he said.

The police received four complaints against the accused, who cheated people and demanded money for his ashram, he said.

The official said that a case has been registered against the accused under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice, Other Inhuman and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013. PTI COR ARU