Archive · 5 Aug 2026
Woman dies during faith healing ritual; husband, godman held
A woman named Ruby Yadav got very sick and died.
Some people wanted to help her feel better, but they did it in a dangerous way.
They tied her to a pillar at a shrine for about ten days.
They performed special prayers and rituals, saying it would heal her mind.
But instead of getting better, she got worse.
On Monday evening, she was taken to a health centre, where doctors said she had passed away.
Her father was very sad and told the police what happened.
The police arrested her husband and two other men involved.
Now the police are investigating, and doctors will examine her body to find out more.
Ruby Yadav, 33, of Lucknow's Gomtinagar, died after allegedly being kept tied to a pillar for about 10 days at a shrine in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh.
Her husband Ankit Yadav, self-styled godman Munna (71), and associate Kadir Ahmad (55) were arrested in connection with her death.
The rituals were allegedly performed as 'faith healing' and 'exorcism' to treat her alleged mental illness.
Her father Pramod Yadav of Sitapur lodged a police complaint accusing the three of keeping her tied up, which led to the arrests.
The accused have been booked and remanded in judicial custody; further legal action awaits the post-mortem report.
- Who
- Ruby Yadav, a 33-year-old woman from Lucknow's Gomtinagar, whose husband Ankit Yadav, self-styled godman Munna (71) and associate Kadir Ahmad (55) were arrested after her death.
- What
- Ruby Yadav died after allegedly being kept tied to a pillar for about 10 days while 'faith healing' and exorcism rituals were performed on her; the three accused were arrested.
- When
- She was brought to the Community Health Centre in Deva on Monday evening and declared dead that night; the arrests were reported on August 5.
- Where
- Deva area of Barabanki district, Uttar Pradesh, India.
- Why
- Her father alleged the rituals were performed to treat her alleged mental illness and that her condition deteriorated until she died.
- Victim
- Ruby Yadav, 33, resident of Gomtinagar, Lucknow
- Incident location
- Shrine in Deva area, Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh
- Duration tied to pillar
- Around 10 days
- Accused
- Ankit Yadav (husband), Munna (71, self-styled godman), Kadir Ahmad (55, associate)
- Complainant
- Pramod Yadav (father), resident of Sitapur district
- Death declared at
- Community Health Centre, Deva, Monday night
- Investigating officer
- SHO (Deva) Alok Mani Tripathi
- Current status
- Accused booked and remanded in judicial custody; awaiting post-mortem report