By Sagaya Fernando | May 18, 2026
Dhule, Maharashtra, INDIA: A self-styled godman, locally known as a mantrik, has been arrested in Maharashtra’s Dhule district for allegedly murdering a woman and her male relative after an attempted sexual assault during a ritual conducted on the occasion of Shani Amavasya.
The accused, identified as Yogesh Bapu Khairnar, 33, was taken into custody by the Maharashtra Police after investigators uncovered the gruesome double murder in Sakri taluka’s Jaitane village.
Victims Had Visited for Religious Ritual
According to police, the victims — Jayshree Rajnikanth Kakuste, 33, a finance company executive and resident of Kasare village in Sakri taluka, and her male relative Akshay Gangadhar Sonawane — had approached Khairnar on Friday May 15 night to perform special rituals associated with Shani Amavasya, considered significant by many devotees.
Khairnar, who operated a small temple and cow shelter on his farm, allegedly took the two to his field adjoining the cowshed to conduct the rituals.
Woman Allegedly Strangled After Resisting Sexual Assault
After the rituals concluded, Khairnar reportedly asked Sonawane to remain at the temple while he offered to drop Kakuste home on her scooter.
During the journey, police said, the accused stopped the two-wheeler at a secluded spot and allegedly attempted to sexually assault the woman. When Kakuste resisted and raised an alarm, Khairnar panicked and allegedly strangled her to death.
Relative Killed to Destroy Evidence
Police said Khairnar then returned to the temple, where Sonawane repeatedly questioned him about the delay. Fearing that his crime would be exposed, the accused allegedly attacked Sonawane with a blunt iron rod, killing him on the spot.
Investigators said Khairnar later attempted to dispose of Sonawane’s body by partially burning and mutilating it. He was reportedly preparing to bury the remains on his farmland when police arrived.
Body Found Near Roadside
The case came to light on Saturday May 16 morning when Nizampur Police Station received information about a woman’s body lying near a roadside along with a scooter.
Assistant Police Inspector Mayur Bhamre and his team rushed to the scene. A mobile phone recovered near the body helped officers identify the deceased as Kakuste. Further investigation revealed that she and Sonawane had visited Khairnar the previous night.
Using technical analysis and confidential intelligence, police detained the accused for questioning. Officials said he initially attempted to mislead investigators but later confessed to both murders.
Charges Filed
Khairnar has been booked under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including: Section 103 (Murder) and Section 238 (Causing disappearance of evidence).
Additional Superintendent of Police Ajay Deore said further investigation is underway to gather evidence and determine whether Khairnar has a prior criminal history or has conducted similar rituals in the past.
Probe Continues
Police are also examining how long Khairnar had been practising as a godman and whether other individuals may have fallen victim to his activities.
Comments
Post a Comment