Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Latur Money-Rain Ritual Case Reaches 15 in Custody
Police in Maharashtra are investigating a group accused of holding a ritual intended to make money appear.
They say the group planned a Lakshmi puja connected to occult beliefs.
A 15-year-old girl was allegedly brought into or considered for involvement in the ritual.
Police first arrested 13 people from different states.
They later arrested two more people on August 19.
This brought the total number in custody to 15.
The ritual reportedly happened near Udgir on August 16.
A court allowed police to keep the accused in custody while investigators examine what happened and what each person did.
Police arrested two more people in Latur’s alleged occult “money rain” ritual case, bringing the total in custody to 15.
The accused allegedly planned a Lakshmi puja based on the superstition that occult practices could make money appear.
Police said an attempt was made to involve a 15-year-old girl during the ritual.
The incident occurred near Karadkhel Pati on the Latur-Udgir road in the early hours of August 16.
A court remanded the accused to police custody until August 21 under black-magic and child-protection laws.
- Who
- Police arrested 15 people in total, including two additional suspects identified as Balaraj, alias Balaji Eastya Mangali, and Mallesh Timmanna Wadger.
- What
- The suspects are accused of conspiring to conduct an occult “money rain” ritual and allegedly attempting to involve a 15-year-old girl.
- When
- The incident occurred in the early hours of August 16; the two additional arrests were made on August 19, and police custody was ordered until August 21.
- Where
- Near Karadkhel Pati on the Latur-Udgir road, about 20 kilometres from Udgir, in Maharashtra’s Latur district.
- Why
- Police intervened after receiving information about suspicious activity and are investigating the ritual, the minor’s alleged involvement, and the roles of the accused.
- Total in custody
- 15 people
- Additional arrests
- Two suspects were arrested on August 19.
- Incident date
- Early hours of August 16
- Location
- Near Karadkhel Pati on the Latur-Udgir road, about 20 kilometres from Udgir
- Minor allegedly involved
- A 15-year-old girl
- Police custody
- The court remanded the accused to police custody until August 21.
- Laws cited
- The Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.