A 45-year-old witch doctor in India has been arrested after being accused of repeatedly raping a 15-year-old girl during so-called healing rituals. Chandresh Panchal allegedly told a family in Chandlodia, in the western state of Gujarat, that the girl was possessed and needed to be cured.
Alleged assaults during treatment
The local witch doctor was approached by the girl's parents following a long period of illness, according to reports. He was first invited to their home in December 2025, where he allegedly asked to be left alone with the teenager before sexually assaulting her.
A complaint reported to police said the 45-year-old made several more visits to the house, raping her under the guise of treatment. The 15-year-old told her family about the assaults after sustaining "severe mental trauma", as per the Times of India.
Police report and arrest
Her family filed a police report on Sunday, after which a case was registered under rape charges and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Panchal was later arrested, Inspector K N Bhukan of Sola Police said.
Chandlodia, which lies in northwestern Gujarat, is a suburban residential area on the bank of the Sabarmati River. The urban area is densely-packed and well-populated, home to over 56,000 residents.
