Kerala man booked for raping minor girl under guise of exorcism

A man was booked for allegedly raping a minor girl in the name of exorcism in Kerala’s Kollam district, the police said on Monday (February 9, 2026).

The accused, Murari, a local sorcerer, had been absconding since the assault came to light on Sunday and a search is on to nab him, they said.

The incident happened at Vendar under the Puthur police station limits.

According to the police, the girl and her mother had earlier visited Murari seeking some astrological advice. He somehow convinced them that all of their issues were caused by an evil spirit which possessed the girl’s body. He also assured them that he could help them get rid of it through exorcism.

As directed by him, the girl and the mother again came to his house at Vendar on Sunday for the ritual he had prescribed. The accused asked the mother to wait outside the room and let the girl alone inside. After some time, the girl came out and revealed to her mother about the assaults she had suffered.

After learning about the incident, the local people protested outside the house of the accused, but he managed to flee the scene amid the melee, the police added.

Murari was booked under various Sections of the BNS, including Section 64 (rape), 74 (assault or criminal force), 75 (1) and 76 (sexual harrasment) and so on and POCSO Act, the police added.