Case against Tantri Murari for trying to sexually abuse 16-year-old in name of exorcism

KOLLAM: The police have registered a case against an astrologer for trying to sexually abuse a 16-year-old in the name of exorcism. The incident happened at Puthur in Kollam. A case has been registered against Rajan Babu, also known as V S Murari Tantri of Vendar Areekkal, under sections including POCSO. He is presently absconding.

Police said the girl and her mother had earlier gone to Murari's house for astrology-related matters. He had told the girl's mother that her body was stricken with a curse and that this was the cause of her problems. He had convinced her that the curse could be removed through witchcraft. Following this, they had reached the sorcerer's house in Areekkal yesterday.

They arrived at 11 am and were able to see the astrologer only at 3 pm. He made her mother sit outside and called the girl alone into the room. When her daughter was not seen out even after more than two hours, her mother went inside and then saw her daughter coming out crying and then she narrated the ordeal. When the incident came to light, the locals gathered in front of his house and protested. The police are trying to issue a lookout notice against him. The Tantri is active on social media through reels and videos.