Bhandup Horrific Child Abuse: Toddler Tortured With Matches, Beaten Over 'Ghost Possession' Claims; Couple Arrested

Mumbai: A horrifying case of child abuse has come to light in Bhandup, Mumbai, where a 2.5-year-old boy was allegedly subjected to brutal torture, including being burned with lit matchsticks and severely beaten with a stick. The heinous acts were reportedly committed by a couple who claimed the child was "possessed by a ghost." The victim is currently receiving treatment at Wadia Hospital, and Bhandup Police have registered a case against the couple, arresting them both.

According to the Police, the 37-year-old complainant, who is the victim's mother, worked at a Bisleri shop owned by the accused, 35-year-old Vaibhav Kokare. Kokare subsequently asked her to work at his home, where she had been employed for the past 15 days. She regularly brought her 2.5-year-old son with her to work.

Police stated that when the child cried continuously, Kokare and his wife, Vaibhavi alias Harshada Gurav, allegedly told the mother that her son was "possessed by a ghost." The couple then claimed they would "treat" the child for this supposed possession. In a horrifying turn of events, they proceeded to burn the child with lit matchsticks and beat him with a stick.

Vaibhav and Harshada reportedly threatened the mother, warning her not to disclose the abuse to anyone.

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The horrific ordeal came to light after the child's mother managed to contact her relatives, who then went to Kokare's house. The child and his mother were subsequently taken to the hospital for treatment.

Following initial medical attention, the police recorded the mother's complaint and registered a case under relevant sections 118(2) 126(2), 316, 115, 3(5) of the Bhartiy Nyay Sanhita (BNS), Act as well as Section 75 of Juvenile Justice Act and Section 3 of the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act. The victim child has been admitted to Wadia Hospital for further treatment, and police stated that further investigations are underway.

Dattaram Kadam, the victim's uncle, shed further light on the alarming situation, his sister-in-law (the victim's mother) started working at Kokare's house and initially had good experiences for 15 days. But then, she then began behaving strangely, almost as if she was under Kokare's influence," Kadam stated. He shockingly added, "Kokare and his wife even came to our home and assaulted my sick brother."

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He further stated that his sister-in-law lost contact with them since Monday. Upon regaining consciousness, she called her uncles, informing them that her body felt heavy, Kokare had switched off her mobile phone, and he was not allowing her to leave the house, seeking help. Subsequently, the family went to Kokare's residence and rescued both her and the chi