A family in Chhattisgarh's Balod district allegedly lost over ₹13.13 lakh after fraudsters posing as astrologers promised to cure a stage-IV cancer patient through religious rituals and spiritual practices. Police have registered a case against several accused from Uttar Pradesh and launched an investigation into the alleged fraud.

The complaint was filed by 55-year-old Premlata Chandrakar, a resident of Sirri village under Ranchirai police station limits. She alleged that the accused exploited her husband's critical illness and emotionally manipulated the family into making repeated online payments over nearly one-and-a-half years.

Television Advertisement Led to Contact

According to the complaint, Premlata came across an advertisement of Pandit Ved Prakash Tiwari's Lakshmi Narayan Jyotish Sanstha on a religious television channel while searching for treatment options for her husband, who has been diagnosed with stage-IV cancer.

After contacting the mobile number displayed in the advertisement, she was allegedly assured that special religious rituals and pujas could completely cure her husband's illness.

Initially, the accused reportedly asked her to transfer ₹30,000 through a QR code, followed by another ₹18,000 payment on November 28, 2024. Thereafter, they continued demanding money under different pretexts, claiming additional rituals were required for recovery.

Family Borrowed Money, Mortgaged Gold

Police said the complainant transferred money through multiple bank accounts, PhonePe, Google Pay and other digital payment platforms between November 2024 and May 2026.

To arrange the money, Premlata allegedly mortgaged her gold jewellery and borrowed funds from relatives and acquaintances.

According to the FIR, payments included:

• ₹2.30 lakh through her daughter Ruhi Chandrakar

• ₹7.40 lakh through acquaintance Aman Dewangan

• ₹2.05 lakh through Chhatrapal Sahu

• Additional transfers through Nehul Nirmal, Tushar Sahu and Jayant Deshmukh

The total amount transferred allegedly reached ₹13,13,673.

Fresh Calls, Promise of Refund

The complainant alleged that after no improvement in her husband's condition, she demanded the money back.

She then reportedly received another call from someone claiming to be Ved Prakash Tiwari, who allegedly stated that some people had misused his institution's name and assured her that the entire amount would be refunded within two months.

However, according to the complaint, no refund was made.

Threatened With CBI and Police Action

The woman further alleged that the accused later contacted her again and claimed that Rahul Tiwari's father had died by suicide, leaving behind a note mentioning her and Ved Prakash Tiwari.

The callers allegedly threatened that if she did not continue making payments, Uttar Pradesh Police, the CBI, and other agencies would implicate her in a murder case.

Police said the complainant transferred additional money out of fear before eventually approaching law enforcement.

Police Register Case

Based on the complaint, Balod Police have registered an FIR against Ved Prakash Tiwari, Srijan Tiwari, Rahul Tiwari and other unidentified persons.

Additional Superintendent of Police Monika Thakur said a case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) relating to cheating and common intention. Investigators are examining the financial transactions, bank accounts and digital payment records submitted by the complainant.

Police said efforts are underway to identify and arrest all those involved in the alleged fraud.

The investigation is continuing.