Betrayal of Trust: Herbal Healer Accused of Horrific Crime

A 55-year-old man in Maharashtra's Palghar district stands accused of a grievous crime after allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl in a forest, under the pretext of collecting a medicinal plant for her treatment, police reported Tuesday.

The accused, Shivram Parash Savar, a resident of Vikramgad taluka, was arrested following the incident, which occurred early Monday morning. The victim's elder sister filed a complaint after they sought herbal remedies from Savar on April 30 for the victim's irregular menstrual cycle, police inspector Amar Patil detailed.

The victim and her sister, guided by Savar, traveled with him and relatives before he lured the victim into nearby bushes under false pretenses. Subsequently, a case was registered under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

(With inputs from agencies.)